Vernon Kenneth Clifford
March 28, 1933-Jan. 20, 2022
Cupertino, California
Submitted by Andy Clifford

Vernon Kenneth Clifford March 28,1933 - January 20,2022

Vernon Kenneth Clifford (known to everyone as Ken) passed away peacefully on a beautiful afternoon on January 20, 2022 surrounded by his family. A loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he was born to parents Samuel and Maggie Clifford (Griffin) in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 28th, 1933. Ken was a self-made man and the first of his family to graduate from college. From a young age Ken worked hard, starting with a paper route and then working at a dairy and as a night manager at a hotel to pay for his tuition and board at the University of Florida.

After his sophomore year in college, Ken spent two years in the US Army as a paratrooper and communications specialist. Although this was during the Korean Conflict, an injury sustained as a paratrooper kept him from being sent overseas. His family is very proud of his service to our country.

Ken married Mary Elizabeth Carlyon (whom he had met in a chance encounter at Carlsbad Caverns when they were teenagers) on July 4th, 1953. His platoon buddies helped him break out of the base (since it was locked down) for their wedding and then helped him sneak back in the next day after an all-too-short honeymoon.

After his honorable discharge from the Army, Ken returned to finish his university degree. Following his graduation, he went to work for Shell Oil Company, where he worked for the entire 37 years of his professional career (starting on day one as an advertising employee). His supervisors realized by the end of the day that he had many more talents and transferred him to a new department which launched him into an outstanding career leading the oil industry during an incredible period in our country’s growth during the 1960’s and 70’s.

Mary and Ken raised four great kids (Ann, Kathy, Kevin and Andy). Mary passed away in 1982 and all of her children miss her deeply.

Ken was introduced to Susan Lynn Whitehead by mutual church friends and they quickly felt a deep connection. They married in 1983, and had a much longer honeymoon than Ken’s first, in Tahiti. They shared a wonderful life of fun, travel, family and friends. They traveled the world together, going to every continent including Antarctica.

Ken’s interests included travel, woodworking, history, genealogy, reading, helping others and donating to charitable organizations. His children and grandchildren fondly remember the numerous holiday gatherings in beautiful mountain settings and the special trips that we took together.

Ken will be remembered for his wisdom and knowledge and for the great stories! He was well dressed, had a glint in his eye and a smile like Johnny Carson. He was asked many times for an autograph and almost always said no, disappointing those who were sure that he was Johnnnyyyy!

Ken is survived by his wife, Susan Lynn Whitehead Clifford of Cupertino, CA; daughters Ann Buckland (Kurt) and Kathleen Clifford; sons Dr. Kevin Clifford (Jaime Moss) and Andy Clifford (Lisa Bernal); grandchildren Jeremy Lipshy (Kim), Sierra Clifford, Zoe Clifford, Simon Clifford (Zoe), Adrian Clifford (Shima), Grant Trueblood and Grant’s mother Kathleen Naughtin Clifford; great-grandchildren Emma Lipshy and Baby Clifford (due in April); nieces Pat Presler (Ed) and Mary Van Auken (Floyd), and great-nephew Marc Presler (Claire). He is also survived by Sue’s sister-in-law Linda Whitehead, niece Tracy Medina (Mike), nephew Steve Whitehead (Melanie), and great-nephew Forrest Whitehead, as well as several of Mary’s nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his first wife Mary Clifford, sisters Eloise and Marjorie, and his brother Maurice.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the many staff members at The Forum Healthcare Center who provided such loving care and support to Ken over the past two and a half years, as well as his many Forum friends and co-workers on the Board and committees of which he was a member. The family would also like to thank Dr. William Chu, Ken’s longtime physician, for his many years of excellent and attentive care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Los Altos United Methodist Church in the name of V. Kenneth Clifford.