Donald K. "Don" Clise

Donald Keith Clise of Romney, age 93, departed this world on Sunday December 17, 2023, at Winchester Medical Center, after a brief time there.
Don was born in Piedmont, WV on October 10, 1930, to parents James Upton Clise and Elsie Christina Ours Clise. He was the youngest of three children, the oldest being sister Adrian Marguerite (Clise) Dixon, and older brother James Dale Clise. He was a 1948 graduate of Bruce High School in Westernport, MD.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Norma Lee Clise (mother of his children), son-in-law Rodney B. Henry, and grandson Jordan M. Cleaver. He is survived by daughter Robin Clise Henry of Inwood, WV, daughter Jaye Clise Cleaver of Romney, WV, son Michael W. Clise & wife Margaret of Martinsburg, WV, and his companion of many years, Carol Fultz, her daughter Julie Greene (Bobby) and granddaughter Amanda Greene.
He is additionally survived by grandchildren Lucas A. Giffin & wife Amanda, great-grandchildren Summer & Lily, Benjamin R. Giffin & wife Katy, great-grandchildren Ally & Caroline, Emily Henry Carper (Dave), great-grandson Camden (Robin), grandson Jared D. Riggleman (Jaye) and grandchildren Lauren S. Clise & husband Ryan Adams, great-grandchildren Denver & Vail, Robert G. Clise & wife Emily, great-grandchildren Noah & Haley (Mike).
Upon graduation, Don did what many of his era did enlist in the military. Following in the footsteps of his older brother (Army), Don joined the Navy as soon as he turned eighteen. After completing basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station, he was stationed in Bainbridge, MD. The Korean War began during his time there and in the spring of 1951, he received orders to report to Charleston, SC to the USS Clarence K. Bronson (DD 668), a Fletcher class destroyer. The Bronson was one of 175 in its class that were built during WW2. He was the 13th sailor on board joining a crew that eventually would be 300+. Their initial job was to take the ship "out of mothballs" to prepare it for duty. This process took them six weeks. His remaining time in the service was on board this ship, training to be called overseas. On board the Bronson, his role was that of DK (Dispersing Clerk) in charge of payroll. His battle station was that of fuse setter on a 5", 38 caliber gun. He was discharged on 11/6/52 at the rank of Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class (PO2). Don recalled his time spent in the Navy as four of the best years of his life. He was forever, a "Tin Can Sailor".
After discharge, Don returned to his hometown Westernport and shortly thereafter took a job in Romney at the WV State Police barracks, as a radio operator. It was during this time that he met Norma Lee Pownall and they married 5/15/54. In July of 1955, Don began working for the Post Office in Romney. He was one of the two Letter Carriers (Lynus Kidwell being the other) when home delivery service began on July 17, 1955. He delivered the mail for the next 31 years.
In 1956 Don joined the American Legion and throughout the rest of his life, was heavily involved in the organization as well as The Forty and Eight, a fraternal and charitable honor society of American veterans, serving as its State Chef de Gare in 1990. He served as commander of Post 91 in Romney in 1973. Don was tireless in his commitment to the Legion, offering his time in the role of finance officer/accountant, literally seven days a week, all the way up to the time of his passing. Whether it was putting flags out on the street for holidays, overseeing the placing of flags on graves at Ebenezer Cemetery or helping with ham sandwich sales, Don was there to serve. He was a true Patriot. A great legacy (along with his family) will be the continuation and proliferation of the American Legion in Romney.
In addition to his lifetime membership in the American Legion in Romney, he was a member of the Moose Lodge # 662 in Keyser, WV, the Tin Can Sailors National Association of Destroyer Veterans and a lifetime member of the VFW Post # 1101 also in Romney.
The family will receive friends at the Giffin Funeral Home & Crematory in Capon Bridge, WV on Thursday, December 21, 2023, from 5-7 PM. A funeral service will follow at 7 PM. Officiating will be Pastor Alanna McGuinn. Interment will be private, at Philos Cemetery in Westernport, MD. Military honors will be accorded by the American Legion Post #13 Honor Guard based out of Cumberland, MD.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Don to the Amazing Grace Food Pantry, PO Box 540, Capon Bridge, WV 26711 or the American Legion Post # 91 Flag Fund, PO Box 933, Romney, WV 26757.