Clifford Max Elbel, age 61, a life long resident of San Antonio, died Wednesday, June 5, 2002. Clifford was born on August 7, 1940, and graduated from Brackenridge High School. He worked for the family owned Elbel Bros. garage on North New Braunfels for 28 years. Following his retirement he realized he had a magic "green thumb" and planted flowers and edibles in every available spot of ground, and he derived a great deal of pleasure on giving the fruits of his labor away to others. One of his most favorite pastimes was walking all around the city and meeting and chatting with people. Although Clifford didn't necessarily know people by name he could acknowledge them as he passed by them along the way. He was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Erna Elbel, and brother, Rodney Elbel. He is survived by his sister, Merna Elbel; uncle and aunt, Buster and Leona Williams; sister-in-law, Helen Martin; nephews, David Hoffman and James Elbel; nieces, Susan Elbel and Shelley Elbel; and by great nephews, great-nieces and cousins.
