Clarence Walter "Irish" Neff

Clarence Walter (Irish) Neff 1920 ~ 2006 Clarence Walter (Irish) Neff died on April 10, after a long encounter with Alzheimer's Disease. He was the husband to Bonnie Jean Barnum Neff, who went to the arms of Jesus in 1998. He was the father to Sharon Lee Neff, who also went to her Savior's arms in 1974; Jo Ellen Neff Kirkham of Spanaway, Washington; Iris Jean Neff Durfee of Park City, Utah; and Michael K. Neff of Hoods Port, Washington. He was the grandfather to Ronald Shane Densley, James Kevin Neff, Stacci Jo Davie, Jacqui Dawn Sobascek, Jason Patrick McNeill, Kelly Jordan McNeill, and Cassidy Dawn Neff. He was the great-grandfather of seemingly uncountable great-grandchildren. Irish was born April 23, 1920, to a large happy family in Granite Falls, Washington. He was the eighth boy and the tenth child in a family of 12 children, two of whom died in childhood. His sister Evelyn Diemer of Ohio, brother Jim Neff, and sister-in-law Beryl Neff, survive him. He also leaves several nieces and nephews: Betty Brearley, (Joe's daughter); Vicky Orr and Sue Reddeman (Emma's daughters); Andy and David Neff, (Harold's sons); Barbara Bruce (Harold's daughter); Tim and Peggy Neff, (Pat's children); Dale and Chuck Diemer, (Evylyn's sons); and special friends, Jim and Betty Swaney. Early on, he named himself "Irish" and made it stick. He did not like school and left it early, reasoning that since it was the Depression, he was needed to help at home. That doesn't mean that he wasn't amazingly intelligent, though. He was an inventor, a respectable mathematician, and a master carpenter in addition to his various vocational talents. His first home was on the Davies Road where his father Steward William Neff and his mother Lucille Genevieve Trudell Neff had a shingle mill on the property. Irish went to San Francisco in 1939 and worked in construction with his brother Frank. There, he met a very pretty girl roller-skating. Her name was Bonnie Barnum, and they married in 1942. Irish was drafted at the onset of World War II where he fought in the Philippines. The Japanese were well entrenched in the hills, and the infantry had to dig them out. Irish had to take out a machine gunner's nest that led to a serious injury. As a result, he received a Bronze Star medal and the Purple Heart. After the war, Bonnie and Irish lived in Salt Lake city, Utah with their four children. Irish worked at many things in his life. He was a good and generous provider, earning a living as a carpenter, a certified welder, a long-haul truck driver, and a plumber. Irish and Bonnie were great company. Many an evening, they spent time with family members the likes of Jim and Gwen Stanton playing 6-handed Pinochle. There was always much laughter, old jokes, seafood feasts, and big family get-togethers whether they were living in Salt Lake City or in Everett, Washington. Irish and his brother Harold (Hick) owned a boat together for fishing in the waters around Everett, Washington. They loved crabbing, salmon fishing, and digging for clams and oysters. which always led to another family feast. When Bonnie's health began to fail in later years, Irish took devoted care of her until her death in July of 1998. It was then that he and son Michael (Mic) moved back to Washington and lived near Shelton. Irish had many interesting stories and charmed children with his teasing and play. He knew how to make people laugh and feel at ease. After he retired, he made toys for children including wooden logging trucks and old cars, miniature chests of drawers, and trunks. He also repaired bicycles for the neighborhood children. We all knew him as "Mr. Fix-it." Mr. Fix-It was unable, this time, to make the needed repairs caused by the mental and physical devastation of Alzheimer's. He will be well-missed. He was laid to rest at Camp Williams with military honors in a private family ceremony. -- Submitted by Beryl Neff and Iris Jean Neff Durfee