Clifford L. Stoddard, 86, of Hershey, NE passed away January 23, 2013 at North Platte Care Center.
Clifford was born March 4, 1926 in Polo, MO. to Clarence and Ida Stoddard. He lived his young life in Missouri.
On May 9, 1944 he married Betty Orr in Atchison, KS. Clifford joined the Air Force July 6, 1944 and was honorably discharged on June 5, 1946. Clifford served with the Air Transport Command. Was assigned to the 1304th Army Air Force Base Unit for six months. Was stationed in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations for sixteen months. Spent entire period of overseas tour in India. Repaired, serviced, maintained, overhauled and modified, military-model gasoline and Diesel powered wheel and track cargo and combat automotive equipment. Worked in repair shops as foreman for five months. Specialized in brake adjustment, alignment and replacement.
When Clifford returned from the war the family moved to McCloud, CA. In 1952 the family moved to Hershey. In 1958 they moved to the Kuroki farm north of Hershey, Clifford farmed for George Kuroki for a number of years, he then farmed on his own until his retirement. Cliff resided there until he became a resident at Premier Estates Assisted Living in 2007. In April 2012, he became a resident of North Platte Care Center.
Clifford enjoyed farming and being with his family on the 4th of July and Christmas.
He is survived by his daughter, Darlene Stoddard of Godfrey, IL. His daughter-in-law’s Sue Stoddard of North Platte and Carol Gray of OK, a brother, George (Janis) Stoddard of ID and Charles (Bonnie) Stoddard of North Platte. Nine grandchildren, Peggy Ingram of Alton, IL., Shelly (John) Bryn of North Platte; Darrell Dean (Deena) Stoddard of Lindsey, OK., LaDonna (Kyle) Brown of Lewisville, TX., Kendra (Gregory) Kirkman of Liberty,MO., Casey (Elly) Sack of North Platte; Kerri (Bill) Fedorchik of Bridgeport, NE., Kelli (Clay) Kaps of Sutherland, NE., Kevin (Jody) Stoddard of Lincoln, NE., fourteen great-grandchildren, Samantha and Bryce Bryn of North Platte, NE., Taylor, Nathan, Calara Sack of NJ., Kinsley Kay Sack of North Platte, NE., Ashley and Emily Stoddard of Lindsey, OK., Jacob and Jerrod Fedorchik of Bridgeport, NE., Aydan and Azyk Kaps of Sutherland, NE., and twins Kelsey and Kyle Brown of Lewisville, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Ida Stoddard; his wife, Betty; two sons, Eugene and Roger Stoddard and a daughter Gail Sack, son-in-law, Larry Sack; a brother James Stoddard and two sisters, Helen Prother and Virginia Atchinon.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 31, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte, NE. Burial will be at North Platte Cemetery with military honors provided by American Legion Post 279 Hershey, Nebraska.
Visitation will be 8:30 a.m to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and 8:30 am until service time on Thursday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences maybe shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.