Clifton Harrison Everhart

Clifton “Cliff” Harrison Everhart was born September 2, 1926 in Davidson County, NC, to the late Earlie Harrison Everhart and Tula May Sexton Everhart. He lived on the family’s self-sustaining farm in Randolph County and at Wheatmore Farm in Trinity, NC until his graduation from Fair Grove School. He moved to Langley, Virginia afterward, where he worked for Langley Aircraft (later NASA). On February 10, 1945, Cliff was drafted and inducted into active duty to serve his country during World War II. While serving, he received his basic training at Fort Bragg, NC, and completed Parachute School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served in the 457th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. He received the rank of mess sergeant aboard the USS Lynx, supervising fifteen men and serving forty-five officers. On December 3, 1946, Cliff received Honorable Discharge from the United States Army. He truly was one of the “Greatest Generation”.

Cliff began his career as a builder upon his return to civilian life. He was a self-employed house builder for approximately eight years. In 1955, he joined J.L. Darr and Son as a general contractor and superintendent. In 1988, he began a career with L.P. Cox Construction Company (Sanford, NC) as a project manager where he remained until his retirement in 1992. His fingerprint as a builder is stamped all over the Piedmont-Triad area and beyond. Upon his retirement, Cliff enjoyed helping his family and friends with many building projects. He was passionate about gardening and shared the bounty of his harvest with those he loved.

On January 28, 1951, Cliff married Jo Ann Pierce, who survives him. They made a fantastic team, complimenting each other perfectly. Throughout their sixty-two year marriage, they built a wonderful family, consisting of their two daughters, Denise Everhart Barnes, Cindy Everhart Collins and her husband, Ben, whom Cliff often referred to as his best friend and son.

He is also survived by three grandchildren, Luke Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Alan Barnes and his wife, Jennifer Barber Barnes, which Cliff considered his granddaughter. He was blessed with one great-grandson, Parker Alan Barnes. His grandsons affectionately called him ‘Cliff’ and considered him their mentor in so many aspects of their formative years.

Cliff is also survived by one brother, James Everhart, and three sisters, Shirley Thomas, Nova Dennis, and Mary Bumgardner. He was preceded in death by one sister, Edna Walker. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and his closest friends, C.L. Everhart, John Everhart, and Forrest Mendenhall.

Services will be held on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, at Fair Grove United Methodist Church. A private committal for family will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by visitation at 1:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center, and a celebration of life service at 2:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Thomasville Funeral Home is assisting the family.

The family would like to acknowledge the following people who gave so unselfishly to meet Cliff’s medical needs:

Hospice of the Piedmont Employees Crystal, Georgia, Jodi, Jackie, June, Scott, Cindy and Jamie.

His former nurse, Janna Ridge, with whom he shared a deep adoration.

High Point Regional Hospital employees Dr. Allen Joslyn, Brandi, and Megan.

Dr. McKay Crowley of Kindred Hospital

Dr. Warren Gallemore and his nurse, Cathy Fulp of Emerywood Internal Specialties

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262, or Fair Grove United Methodist Church, 138 Fairgrove Road, Thomasville, NC 27360.