Funeral services for C.J. "Smiley" Clifton will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 16, 2010, at the Inola Church of Christ. Mitchell Huebner will officiate. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery under the direction of the Inola Funeral Home and Crematory.

C.J. Clifton passed away Tuesday, July 13, 2010, after his long fight with cancer. He was 71 years old.

Clyde Jearl Clifton was born in Wagoner County on May 9, 1939, to Earl H. and Agnes Clark Clifton. He attended Chouteau schools, graduating in 1957.

After high school he moved to Wichita, KS, and enrolled in trade school. He became a sheet metal journeyman upon graduation in 1962. C.J. met Wanda Jane Huebner at a local soda shop while living in Wichita and they were married on July 18, 1958. For the next several years he worked in the Wichita area for Dobson Roofing.

In the early 1970's he moved his family to Inola. Employed by Lewis & Lambert, he worked as superintendent on several building projects around Tulsa, including the Williams Center Building. C.J. enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He also liked to hunt, fish and work around the house. He has been a member of the Inola Church of Christ for the past 15 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Agnes, and a brother, Leon Clifton.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 52 years, Wanda, of the home; sons, Jeff and wife Teresa of Ketchum, Gary and wife Lisa of Cincinnati, OH, and Bruce and wife Cindy of Claremore; grandchildren, Heather Casey and husband Dave, Jeremy, Emily, Ally, Cole, Caroline, Joe and Ben Clifton; great-grandchildren, Abby and Tessa Casey; brother, Dale Clifton; sister-in-law, Susan Clifton, aunt Louise Nelson and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorials may be made to the Inola Fire Department, 1 W. Commercial, Inola, OK 74036.