David Lee Clifton

David Lee Clifton, Sr, 73, Cambridge, Ohio, passed peacefully in his sleep on Friday evening, November 14th, 2025, his family by his side. David was born June 20, 1952, to James Earnest and Betty Lou Gillogly Clifton at Good Samaritan Hospital, Zanesville, Ohio. He was the first of four children, and the first-born twin two minutes ahead of his sister, Debra Lou Clifton. He graduated in 1970 from Cambridge High School. Through high school and for a short while after graduation he worked at Burger Chef in Cambridge.

After graduating Dave moved to Sarasota, Florida living with his dad, stepmom, Vi, and sisters Cindi and Valerie. He worked for Tropitone making outdoor life-time warranty furniture for motels/hotels. He still owns some of that same furniture today. In 1972 he enlisted in the Air Force where he was a Munitions Maintenance Specialist and Explosives Operator, stationed at Torrejon Air Base in Spain. He was honorably discharged in 1977.

After being discharged Dave moved back to Ohio and worked for Devco Oil for 42 years as a tanker driver. He loved his work and his Devco family. He retired from there in 2021 to stay home with his family and work in his garage, yard, and flower garden. He was constantly busy working on projects and helping everyone out. His favorite time of year was Halloween. He built many, many decorations and his yard was featured on Face Book. It was a favorite location for trick or treaters.

He loved seeing all the children and adults checking out his yard decorations. He loved NASCAR, a love shared by his dad, and was affected when Dale Earnhardt Sr was killed. Dave tinkered in his garage building wall boards full of old tools. He loved skulls, old tools, old cars and Corvettes, owning many Corvettes throughout the years. His latest collection was rocks from his many trips from Embassy. Dave was a jokester, loved teasing, and would give you two outrageous choices... always having a good laugh.

Dave leaves behind many people who loved him. He leaves his wife of 29 years, Mary Bonnell Clifton of Cambridge. He leaves his two son Brandon Clifton, and David (Kendra Winland) of Cambridge and grandchildren Aaliyah (Austin) Siddle, Noble County, and Justyce Clifton of New Concord, Shayla, Karlie, and Chase Winland of Cambridge. He leaves his daughter Tina (Mark) Choma of Cambridge and granddaughters Deanna (Lane) Cowgill of St. Clairsville and great-grandson, Mikey, and granddaughter Shelby Choma of New Concord.

David also leaves behind an aunt, Mary (Donnie) Hivnor of McConnelsville, one brother, Chuck (Colleen Huston) Clifton of Lore City, and 4 sisters, Debbie Price, and Bunny Whittle both of Cambridge, Cindi (Dana) Swope of Zanesville, and Valerie (Gary) Taylor of Cumberland.

He also leaves behind brother in laws, Paul (Brenda) Bonnell of Cambridge, Delbert (Sherry) Bonnell of Hickery, N. Carolina and Sam Bonnell of Byesville. And sister-in-laws, Sharon Taylor of Old Washington, Patty Lynn, and Debbie (Acen) Tucker of Cambridge, Carol Taylor, Janice Campbell, and Barb Hodkinson of Byesville, Clara (Gary) Wood of Winterset, and Dotty Downey of Massillon. As well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would also like to Thank and include his Embassy Rehabilitation Center family of care givers who worked to make his stay enjoyable. Dave loved his care givers and teased them daily.

Proceeding him in death were his parents James (Violet) Clifton, and Betty (Robert) Ault, daughter Deanna Lee Bonnell, brothers-in-law Raymond and Bob Lynn, Johnny Taylor, John Taylor, Al Campbell, and Bob Mccanse.

Visitation will be held at Thorn- Black Funeral Home in Cambridge, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 11AM to 1PM with the service to begin at 1pm with burial immediately following at Guernsey Memory Gardens in Cambridge.