FATHER, HUSBAND, BROTHER, POPS, GRAMPS, GG-POP, UNCLE, FRIEND
1932 – 2021
In January of 2021, CLIFFORD E. SMITH (SMITTY), loving husband, father of two, grandfather of six and great grandfather of three, passed away at the age of 88.
Clifford was raised in Minnesota. Attending Pipestone High School, he played football, basketball and sang in chorus. He was voted Homecoming King in 1949, stayed in touch with classmates and attended class reunions.
Smitty served in the U.S. Navy, as a medic, during the Korean War. He married Shirley Ann Burrell in 1952. Their daughter Debbie was born in South Dakota in 1953. After his honorable discharge in 1954 he moved his wife and daughter to California. One year later, their son Steve was born.
He proudly coached North Oaks “T” ball in the mid 60s and coached Pop Warner Football. It was his honor to sponsor little league baseball in Canyon Country in the 80’s.
Smitty worked as a milkman in Sun Valley and here in the Santa Clarita Valley. He is remembered by many as the milkman who would stop by for a very quick game of pool in a customer’s garage when he was supposed to be working! He also worked for “Toms Food Service” and had a truck full of goodies making him very popular with the kids in the neighborhood.
Shirley passed away in 1993. He met his wife, Susan, in 1995. They married in 1996.
His love for camping at the beach and passion for fishing, took him from the ocean to any lake or babbling brook he could find, always bringing something home on the stringer.
Being an avid sports fan, he rarely missed the airing of a Lakers, Vikings or Dodger game. He was a huge fan of auto racing too.
He loved all kinds of music, country being his favorite. He loved to dance and, oh could he dance! Smitty had a great sense of humor, was always upbeat and smiling. He never met a person he didn’t like and was always willing to go somewhere and do something.
Smitty’s life was full, active and meaningful. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
