Clifford Hewett Simonton

Cliff, a native of Lilburn, Georgia, was the son of the late John Oliver, Sr. and Daisy Hewett Simonton.

Cliff was born in Atlanta, Georgia on July 13, 1937. He was raised in Lilburn, Georgia and graduated from Lilburn High School in 1955. He attended the University of Georgia on a track scholarship from 1955-1959. He was a four-year letterman, graduate of the Terry School of Business and a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He loved the Georgia Bulldogs and enjoyed attending football games with family and friends. He was a member and Deacon of First Baptist Church on the Square.

Cliff was a firm believer in the value of hard work and exercise. He started his career with Philips Petroleum Company and retired from Interface Inc. after 30 years of service. He was an avid tennis player, and frequently found on the tennis courts. After his retirement, he loved his part time position teaching tennis to youngsters at McCluskey Tennis Center in LaGrange. He was very proud of having run marathons in most decades of his life, with the most recent being the Los Angeles Marathon at the age of 60, finishing in less than four and a half hours.

Survivors include his loving wife of almost 50 years, Nancy Irvin Simonton, a son, Jay Clifford Simonton and wife Amy of Newnan, Georgia and daughter Joy Aleese Simonton of Smyrna, Georgia. The loves of his life were his four beautiful granddaughters, Sara Kaitlin Simonton, Mary Kathryne Simonton, Hannah Elise Simonton and Bethany Faith Simonton, all of Newnan. He is also survived by a brother, George Wilson Simonton of Suwannee, Georgia, four nieces, two nephews, and many extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Oliver Simonton, Jr. and a nephew, David Simonton.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church on the Square with Dr. Paul Baxter and Reverend Paul Blair officiating. A private burial will be in Restlawn Memory Gardens.

The family will receive visitors at the funeral home this evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church on the Square.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to West Georgia Hospice or West Georgia Dialysis in memory of Mr. Clifford Simonton.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636 www.shlagrange.com