Clifford Wallace Muchow

Colonel Clifford W. Muchow, 96, of Federal Way, WA, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday July 6, 2012. Prior to his 12 year residency at Village Green in Federal Way, he resided in Hot Springs, South Dakota for 33 years after retiring from the US Air Force in 1967.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on July 27, 2012 at Christ Lutheran Church in Federal Way, WA. Pastor Loren Leapaldt will be officiating. Interment will follow the church service at Tahoma National Cemetery at 2:15 PM on the same day. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Price-Helton Funeral Home in Auburn, WA.

Clifford was born August 8, 1915 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He attended Washington High School in Sioux Falls and received an undergraduate degree from UCLA as well as a master’s degree from Univ. Southern Calif. He was a combat pilot during WWII in the Southwest Pacific and completed 64 missions. Clifford was also a veteran of the Korean War. Decorations include Bronze Star, Air Medal with 4 Clusters, Army commendation Ribbon, Air Force Commendation Medal with 3 cluster and various campaign ribbons. In addition to his life time career in the Air Force he worked in several Veterans Administration Centers in a guidance and rehabilitation capacity.

In April 1943, in between military assignments, he married Alta Irene Powell and soon they had 3 children. Through the 69 years of their marriage he continued to call his wife his “little prairie flower”. Clifford was a man who always knew the right answer, cared very much for the people around him and was always interested to hear what they had to say. His presence, humor and zest for life in any situation will remain unmatched.

He is survived by his wife, Alta Muchow, his daughters, Marilyn Scheffel (Bill) and Marti Vavrichek (Wayne), daughter – in – law, Marcia Grueb, grandchildren Shane Muchow (Sarah), Lauren Kaye (Steve), David Vavrichek, Matthew Schuman, Michael Vavrichek, great granddaughter Violet Kaye. He was preceded in death by his son Eric Muchow and his 3 brothers, Art, Garfield, and Howard Muchow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to Franciscan Hospice, 2901 Bridgeport Way West University Place, WA 98466 or Christ Lutheran Church, 2501 Southwest 320th Street Federal Way, WA 98023.