Clifford Ralph Cromer

Cliff Cromer was born July 15, 1924 in St. Louis, MO to Victor and Lurine (Bauer) Cromer. He was graduated from Cleveland High School in St. Louis in 1942. Cliff then joined the Navy and served in World War II.

After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Cliff attended Southeast Missouri State College. He lettered in football and basketball before being graduated in 1947 with a bachelor’s degree in education. He later earned a master’s degree in education from Washington University in St. Louis.

After graduation from Southeast Missouri State, he married Frances Abernathy. Together they raised four sons – Clif Alan, David, Dan, and Carl. He also started his 40 year career as a high school educator, coach, and administrator in the state of Missouri. Most of that career was spent in the communities of Ste. Genevieve, Higginsville, Carrollton, and Brookfield. Cliff coached the sports of football, track, and basketball, winning numerous conference and district titles. His greatest joy, however, was seeing the positive development in his students and athletes and instilling positive character traits to make them better people. Cliff always took great pleasure when he saw his students become successful adults.

Cliff received many awards, including the MSHSAA distinguished service award. He was also inducted into the Higginsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Missouri Football Coaches Hall of Fame inaugural class.

Cliff was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his father Victor, mother Lurine, sister Dorothy and daughter in law Nancy. Cliff is survived by his wife Frances; sons Clif Alan, David, Dan, and Carl; daughters in law Alane and Mary; grandchildren Erin (and husband Ben), Sarah, Christian (and wife Leslie), Tom, and Brett (and wife Claire). And great grandchildren Meredith, Elliott, and Andrew.

Cliff’s Celebration of Life will be held 4-6 pm Sunday, September 27 at Kaiser-Wiegers Funeral Home in Higginsville, MO. He will be inurned 11:00 am Monday, September 28 in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Lafayette County class of 1977 scholarship, in care of the Bank of Corder (MO).