Ralph Clifton

1934 - 2025

Ralph Burton Clifton passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia, at the age of 90.

Ralph was born in Elwood, Nebraska, on October 16, 1934. Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia "Ginny" Onaitis Clifton; by his parents, Eugene Jackson Clifton and Frances Elizabeth Bragg Clifton, and by his brother, Rodney Eugene Clifton. He is survived by his two children, David Burton Clifton of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Lois Clifton Laclef of Bethesda, Maryland; his son-in-law, Patrice Laclef; his four grandchildren, Thomas Burton Clifton of Tempe, Arizona, Frances Clifton Ptucha of New York, New York, Sophie Clifton Laclef of Baltimore, Maryland, Matthew Clifton Laclef of Washington, D.C.; his great grandchild, Estelle Teresa Ptucha; his sister, Sandra Bock; his brother-in-law David Bock; and his beloved partner, Glee Deodhar.

Ralph grew up in Omaha, Nebraska where he graduated from South High School. He was awarded a full scholarship from the United States Navy and attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Ralph served as a U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer in Washington, D.C. and attained the rank of full Lieutenant. He continued his service in the Navy Reserves in Zweibrucken, Germany.

Ralph met his wife of 56 years in the Washington, D.C. area while they were working for the United States government during the Eisenhower administration. In the early years of his marriage, Ralph worked for IBM and moved frequently with his wife. They lived in Silver Spring, Maryland; Zweibrucken, Germany; Bowie, Maryland; Hampton, Virginia, and Miami Shores, Florida, where they raised their children. Ralph had a career in information technology. After his children went to college, Ralph and his wife moved to Weston, Florida, where they were active members of First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale. Together, they enjoyed playing duplicate bridge. Ralph and his wife moved to Crozet, Virginia in 2010 to be near their children and grandchildren. He was very active in the Jefferson Bridge Association in Charlottesville, where he developed many close friendships and achieved the level of Bronze Life Master.

Family will receive friends to celebrate Ralph's life from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Carriage Hill Community Clubhouse at 825 Beverley Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22911. There will be time for friends to share fond memories of Ralph.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ralph's memory to Habitat for Humanity. habitat.org/support/honor-memorial-gifts" target="_new" rel="nofollow">https://www.habitat.org/support/honor-memorial-gifts.