Clifford Allen Tibbetts, Sr., died in Beaumont, Texas, on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. He was 81. Clifford was born April 25, 1944, in Port Arthur, Texas, to Althea Doreen Scott Tibbetts and Kelly Harvey Tibbetts, the seventh of eight children. Althea and Kelly Tibbetts immigrated to the United States from Cayman Brac, the Cayman Islands, BWI, arriving at the Texaco docks in Port Arthur, Texas, on November 17, 1938.
Clifford was proud of his devoted parents, his siblings, and his beloved Port Arthur. Many of his happiest memories were made during his childhood at the family home on Peek Avenue. As a young man, he enjoyed spending time with his father, hunting ducks and geese in the marshes.
Clifford attended Port Arthur Public Schools, including Lee Elementary and Thomas Jefferson High School. In the eleventh grade, the family moved to Panama City, Florida, where Clifford graduated from Bay High in 1962. Upon graduation, Clifford returned to Texas to attend Lamar State College, where he enjoyed campus life, made lifelong friendships, and excelled in academics. He completed his degree in Business in 1966.
After graduation from Lamar, Clifford joined the United States Air Force, serving from 1968 to 1971. During his military service, Clifford specialized in electronics for missile warning and defense at Thule Air Force Base in northwest Greenland.
After an honorable discharge from the USAF, Clifford worked with his father at Tibbetts Boatyard in Panama City, Florida. In 1978, Clifford married and accepted a job with Neches Butane, and returned once more to Port Arthur, where he raised his family.
Clifford was passionate in his love of music. He especially loved the music of Steve Winwood, the Moody Blues, and Pink Floyd. He was also a lifelong auto enthusiast. His most cherished possession was his white 1970 Camaro Z/28 RS, which remains in the family today.
In addition to his parents, Clifford is preceded in death by his siblings Dareen Tibbetts Mattke (Gilbert), Airley Burdette Tibbetts, Kelvin Burness Tibbetts (Louise), James William Tibbetts (Carolyn), and Alma Louise Tibbetts Newell, and by his son Clifford Allen Tibbetts, Jr.
He is survived by his son Kelly Hart, by his brothers Ansley Leroy Tibbetts and Donald Wayne Tibbetts (Carolyn), his nephew Mike Tibbetts (Diane), nieces Kellie DeMary (Randy), Frankie Perego (Hugh), Lynn Tibbetts (Scott), and many other beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Graveside services will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, December 19, at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves, Texas. Grammier-Oberle Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.
