Lelon Hansel Clifton Jr.

LELON H. CLIFTON, JR. (Svc time updated)
Lelon H. Clifton, Jr., 78, of Palatka passed away Friday, August 8, 2025 at Haven Hospice Roberts Care Center in Palatka following a brief illness.
Born in Mendes, Georgia, Lelon had been a resident of the Palatka Center for Healing & Rehabilitation coming from San Mateo. In his youth, he gave honorable military service in the U.S. Army, serving two tours in the Vietnam Conflict, receiving several medals including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
He trained as a chef at the Cordon Bleu Restaurant in New York, but preferred working as a cook in country restaurants. For many years he worked at Angel's Diner in Palatka and later cooked for his brother Benny at Benny's restaurant in East Palatka. He thoroughly enjoyed his work as a cook.
Lelon was preceded in death by his parents, Lelon Hansel "Cliff" Clifton, Sr. and Lauils Clifton; a brother, John Clifton; a son, Lee Clifton; and the mother of his son, Benita Massey Clifton.
Surviving are his brother and sister-in-law, Benny and Brenda Clfton; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Melba D. and Dave Zander and Hillary Wainwrtight; and several beloved nieces and nephews.
A graveside memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 11, 2025 in Oak Hill East Cemetery in Palatka.
Friends may sign Lelon's online register at: themastersfuneralhome.com. Memorial gifts may be sent in Lelon's name to the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, 380 Boys Ranch Road, Palatka, FL 32177 or online at: rbr.org/donations/.
Masters Funeral Home of Palatka is in charge of arrangements.