Clifton Kaderli

Clifton Kaderli

August 9, 1942 – June 16, 2024

A devoted son, husband, father, Opa, uncle, and friend

In Clifton’s later years when he would meet someone, he would invariably tell them he was “just a crazy old truck driver.” He was a truck driver, but that comes much later in the story and Clifton did love to tell a good story. As a descendant of one of the founding families of New Braunfels his story goes way back.

Clifton loved to share that he was born in his Aunt Nelrose and Uncle Roland Soechting’s home on San Antonio Street. He was born on August 9th, 1942, to Max and Evelyn Trammel Kaderli. His favorite part of the story was that he kicked his cousin Ronnie out of his baby bed. He and Ronnie along with Ronnie’s sisters Erna Lou and Karen grew up to be great friends. Clifton was blessed with many cousins. He was also extremely close to his cousin Arlon Kaderli. When they got together, the cousins always spoke German to each other. Family was one of the most important things to him and one of his favorite events all year was the Kaderli family reunion. This weekend is the traditional 4th weekend in June when the Kaderli reunion was held. He would be so pleased his family is all gathered for a reunion.

As a young child Clifton enjoyed living in the Fischer community and had many treasured memories such as his parents' selling hamburgers at the Fischer dance hall and attending the Fischer two room schoolhouse along with his brother Marvin and several cousins. When Clifton was a pre-teen, his family moved to a farm just outside New Braunfels. After moving he attended Goodwin Elementary.

As a child, Clifton developed his lifelong love of tractors. He started working at age eleven driving a tractor for his uncle. There could be a whole book of his tractor driving stories. Even though he worked many hours as a youth he was still a top student. Clifton was extremely proud to have been a member of the first graduating class from Canyon High School. That 1960 class had a special bond and stayed very close throughout the years.

As a teenager Clifton attended Westover Baptist Church in San Marcos where he accepted Jesus as his Lord and was baptized. After marriage he could be found serving with his wife in the preschool department wherever they lived. He loved little kids.

Immediately after high school graduation Clifton left for basic training in the US National Guard. He celebrated his 18th birthday while serving with the Guard in Oklahoma. Clifton was extremely patriotic and at some point, he probably gave you a copy of the US Constitution.

On April 16, 1965, he married the love of his life Merle Russel. They were married for 59 years.

Shortly after getting married, he began his collegiate studies at Southwest Texas University where he was repeatedly recognized on the superior dean's list and recognized as the outstanding Range Management Student for Texas his senior year. He was also inducted into the Delta Tau Alpha Agricultural Honor Society. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture with an emphasis in Range Management. He could name the kingdom and phylum of most plants growing that you can see in a pasture in the Texas Hill Country. His favorite was Glandularia bipinnatifida, AKA Prairie Verbena (the purple flowers). While attending college he also worked full-time at Camp Gary Job Corp. As part of working at Gary Job Corps he managed the theater and bowling alley. Fun fact, he did bowl a perfect 300 game many times.

Upon graduating he and his young family of four, now with Donna aged 5 and Ray aged 1, moved to Marble Falls where he became the Ranch Manager for Travis Peak Ranch. He loved being able to take Ray to work with him and teaching him life skills such as how to call the cows.

In the mid 1970’s, realizing his deep love of New Braunfels, he and his family moved back to his hometown. As an active member of the community Clifton was involved in many organizations. Some of those organizations include: New Braunfels Evening Lions where he served as President, Board member for The Fischer Cemetary Association, Comal County Young Farmers Association, Volunteer with Youth Livestock Show and other livestock functions, 4-H Volunteer in the Sheep Project, Sons of Confederate Veterans - he drove their float in the county fair parade for many years, Steuben Society of America, and he was a founding member of the Yellow Rose Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society where he served as President and held chapter shows on his family farm.

Since Clifton loved being active in his community and being very involved in his children's lives, he decided to make a career change so he could have a flexible schedule. His old buddy, Norman Lehmann, introduced him to being a truck driver. This was the perfect fit for Clifton. He had obtained his CDL driver’s license as soon as he could drive, he was well known for his skills as a mechanic, and he enjoyed the scenery and wide-open spaces. Clifton loved the freedom of the open road and he and Norman knew every great restaurant across south Texas. As an owner- operator trucker Clifton had the flexibility to attend all his son Ray’s high school basketball games, which he greatly enjoyed. They went on to launch a materials supply company, Kaderli Materials. Trucking life would not be complete without a CB handle. His was “Sheep Herder”, which makes sense when you know about his skills in animal husbandry.

Clifton would tell you that his college degree was “how to keep a cow happy”, but he had a unique fondness for the Rambouillet sheep breed and encouraged his children to develop their own flock which they each showed at various stock shows and county fairs across the state. He was extremely proud of the development of their herds and frequently winning grand champion at major shows. Clifton had many fond memories of the activities and relationships made at the livestock shows.

As an empty nester Clifton enjoyed traveling with his wife Merle. They loved visiting places rich in history, especially family history. Clifton was very proud of his Swiss heritage and loved to share stories from their visits to Switzerland especially the time he met a relative they had never met before. Another trip he especially enjoyed was his and Merle’s 25th Wedding Anniversary trip to Hawaii which included a visit with his daughter Donna and her husband David who was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base. He and Merle also loved taking their six grandchildren to National Parks and living history museums in Texas and across the country. Spending time with the grandkids was always special to him.

When Clifton retired from trucking and Merle retired from teaching, they needed another career to help fund all the traveling so they opened Kaderli Auctions. They both loved auctions and so thought it would be a great business. Clifton loved visiting with customers and clients and of course swapping stories.

In his later years Clifton loved tinkering with the antique trucks, cars, and tractors he had collected. His friend Keith Bridges was always nearby as they worked on airing tires, changing batteries, sorting parts, and just in general playing with his very large toys. He especially enjoyed having the family ‘57 Chevrolet Station Wagon restored with his friend Rick Davis. One of his fondest memories was winning Grand Champion tractor with his orchard tractor at the Comal County Fair.

Clifton passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 16, 2024, at his home in New Braunfels, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Evelyn Trammel Kaderli, and his brother Marvin Kaderli. He leaves behind his wife Merle, children, Donna Fuqua and husband David, Ray Kaderli and wife Gretchen, grandchildren Rachel Holland and husband Matthew, Elyse Kaderli, Ashley Fuqua, Carly Kaderli, Anna Kaderli, and Elijah Kaderli. He also leaves behind his beloved Comfort Cat Abbey.

Flowers are appreciated or donations in his name can be made to St. Jude or American Heart Association.

Funeral Announcement:

Clifton Kaderli passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, June 16, 2024. Arrangements have been made with Zoeller Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Friday evening June 21, 2024, from 5pm to 8pm at Zoeller Funeral Home, 615 Landa Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130.

Graveside service will be Saturday June 22, 2024, starting at 9am at Fischer Cemetery. The Fischer Cemetery is located in northern Comal County at 12300 FM 32 between San Marcos and Blanco, about one-fourth mile east of FM 484.

Celebration of Life and refreshments will immediately follow the graveside service at the Fischer Store School Community Center, 12400 Hwy. 32, Fischer, TX. At the intersection of Hwy. 32 and FM 484 there is a traffic caution light. An unpaved driveway to the school building is approximately ½ block east of that intersection. There is a large, lettered sign designating the premises at that intersection. The building is approximately 25 miles Northwest from either San Marcos or New Braunfels and 14 miles Southeast of Blanco.

The Cemetery and School are adjacent properties.

Please dress casually and honor Clifton by wearing a pearl snap shirt if you have one or wear something purple, his favorite color.

Flowers are appreciated or donations in his name can be made to St. Jude or American Heart Association.