James was born March 2, 1936 in Bluefield, WV, son of the late Tony and Lettie Clifton. He was a veteran of the US Air Force and had been a member of Primitive Baptist Church in Roanoke, Va. James was the volunteer fire chief for the Sandy Ridge Fire Department. In 1992, he retired from DuPont and moved to Oak Island where he ran fishing charters. James earned a pilot's license at the age of 15, becoming one of the youngest pilots in Virginia. His greatest joy was spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include his four children, Teddy Clifton and wife Bonnie Jean, Bonnie Mickey and husband Carl, Mandy Carter and husband Kenneth, and Terri Clifton; four grandchildren, Ashley Clifton, Grace Clifton, Austin Hall, and Morgan Hall; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Paul Clifton; a special cousin, Judy White; and his life partner Helen Harris.
He was preceded in death by wife Mildred Clifton; a grandson, Jamie Clifton; three sisters, Edith Nichols, Gladys Colby, and Geneva Rector; a brother, Norman Clifton.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 8, 2022 in the Oak Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery, 4128 North Carolina Hwy 704 E, Sandy Ridge, NC 27022.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wreaths Across America at https://donate.wreathsacrossamerica.org/.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com for the Clifton family.
Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.
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