CLIFFORD ATKINSON

Clifford Ward Atkinson "Curly" Ward passed away October 29, 2010 at the VA Rest Home from a stroke. He was born on April 11, 1927 to Clifford Herbert and LaRue Burbidge Atkinson in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the oldest of four children. Ward married JoAnn Hearn. To this union was born three sons: Michael (deceased), Warren, and Larry. He and JoAnn were later divorced. He later married Joyce Shields who brought Dennis and Gail to the family. They were later divorced. He always said he made a better friend than a husband. Ward served in the U. S. Army in the latter part of World War II where he was a court secretary at the Nazi war trials. Ward loved music. He never met a guitar he didn't like. At age five he started playing guitar and never stopped. He played in western bands and clubs all over the western United States. He often regaled us with stories about his experiences, from playing on a street comer at the opening of a new gas station, where every time the light changed they had a new audience, to playing back-up for Glen Campbell. Ward was a brick mason, learning the trade from his father with C.H. Atkinson and Sons. He had a great relationship with his dad and brother Wes. They were great friends. He later worked for Jordan School District where he retired as a custodian at Eastmont Middle School. He loved trading cars and in his younger years it was said that every time it rained he went car trading. He enjoyed working in his garden, but most of all just leaning on his hoe "chinin" with Weston or Brent or sitting in the shade with Mary. He loved to go to Warren and Molly's for dinner and to Cody and Boo's different activities. He enjoyed old car shows with Brent and Mary, "discussing" with Weston, a good cup of coffee at McDonalds, hard cross-word puzzles, and especially eating at the Chuck-a-Rama with his good friend Norma. Ward was also a member of the LDS church. Ward is survived by his sons, Warren (Molly), Riverton; Larry, Phoenix, Arizona; four grandchildren, Cody Zach, Chance, and Jordan, one great-granddaughter, Berklee. He is also survived by brother, Weston (Tonya) Atkinson; and sister, Mary (Brent) Miller, all of Draper, Utah. He is preceded in death by both parents; son, Michael; sister, Larky Atkinson, and his favorite niece, Kari. A special thank you to those at the VA Rest Home who took such good care of Clifford prior to his passing and for the love, compassion, and mostly patience always shown by Molly. Services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010 at 12:00 noon at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 East 4580 South. There will be a viewing Monday 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Goff Mortuary, 8090 So. State.