Gurden Samuel Clough, Jr. was born on November 20, 1936 in Kansas City, Missouri to Gurden Samuel and Josephine Marie (Prike) Clough, Sr. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Shirley Jean Clough and great-grandson, Connor Voigt. He is survived by his three daughters, Jody (John) Jardes, Sandy Howell, Lisa Clough, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He is also survived by two ex-wives, Jerrianne Clough and Mary Jo Schutte with whom he remained close friends with until his death.
As a youth Sam was in the Boy Scouts and earned the Eagle Scout Rank, which is the highest award in Scouting. He attended college and received his education in accounting. Sam started his working career as a letter carrier for the US Postal Service. He then started his own business as a CPA for numerous years until he retired. He was civic minded and was the longest serving member of the Leawood Lions Club for over forty years. He also enjoyed Mizzou Sports and the going to PGA Championships. Sam was an avid sports fan and enjoyed rooting for the home teams of the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a 50 year season ticket holder with the Chiefs.
A poem written about Sam by his daughter, Lisa Clough
Did I ever tell you the story of my dad?
As we mourn his passing, I’m feeling sad.
He made me laugh, he made me cry, now he’s gone and I don’t know why.
My dad was a Boy Scout who achieved Eagle rank,
And Little Fleeting Birch Bark in Mic-O-Say - his father to thank.
He was a student at Southwest High School,
Where in ROTC he thought he was cool.
He would go to the drug store
and drink up pine floats,
Glasses of toothpick-filled water like a lake full of boats.
He married a woman with the last name of Noel,
And they had three daughters, God rest his poor soul.
As a young girl I learned from him many a trick,
Like making Manhattans - no mere watered toothpicks.
He was an accountant who a-counted a lot,
In his community he was easy to spot.
Temporary Lodging for Children saw him on its board,
And he’s the Leawood Lions Club’s longest member - Good Lord.
My dad had a passion for driving sports cars,
A passion he sometimes shared with hanging in bars.
He’d play quarters against my sister’s friends from college,
And his skill at the game was hard not to acknowledge.
He’d make all the quarters bounce into their glasses,
And all of those college kids drunk off their asses.
Golf was the game that my dad loved to play,
He played in the Senior League every Monday.
But he also liked to watch sports, however he could,
And withstood more sports anguish than most people should.
Whether he watched on tv and crunched bagel chips,
Or went to the PGAs for their Championships.
As a Chiefs season ticket holder he cried red tears,
Mostly in sorrow til Mahomes brought us cheers.
And even our Royals helped memories be made,
In 1985 we went to the World Series parade.
At his opportune times my dad showed he had class,
But most of the time he was a smart ass.
But smart ass or not, he had some great daughters,
And through them he became grand - or at least a grandfather.
He had 7 grandsons and 2 granddaughters for nine,
And has 8 great grandchildren - hopefully more down the line!
And while it might be surprising I crafted this rhyme,
It’s thanks to my dad, who read us Seuss all the time.
So whether on a boat or with a goat,
Or made with a side of sweet pine float,
I hope in heaven they serve green eggs and ham,
And know we’ll always love you, Sam I Am.
