Clifton Boyde Steddum made his first appearance in this world May 5, 1948, to parents Rabb and Hazel Franklin Steddum in Ranger, Texas. According to Aunt Kedron, “He was one of the orneriest kids you’d ever meet, but he grew up to be a fine young man.” He was reunited with many loved ones on December 30, 2021; the 37th anniversary death of his namesake, Boyde Clifton Franklin. Cliff grew up in Eastland, spending many hours fishing, trapping, and spending time with cousins on Granny and Granddad Franklin’s farm.
After graduating from Olden High School, he joined the Army in July of 1967; then arrived in Vietnam with the 1st Aviation Brigade Delta Battalion, 336 Assault Helicopter Company, serving tours from January 1968 through August 1969. He later served as medic section sergeant with the C Company 111th Engineer Battalion, Army National Guard. On July 24th, 1970, Cliff married the love of his life, Glenda Fox, at Calvary Baptist Church in Eastland. Together, they truly were the perfect couple. He often referred to her as “the wind beneath his wings.” Employment in civilian life began in Odessa with Pioneer Natural Gas and Lone Star Gas: Cisco, Gorman, and Albany. In 1980, Cliff went to work for West Texas Utilities/AEP as both a service and lineman, retiring from American Electric Power as their Safety Risk Manager in 2010.
Between full time work, raising a family, and National Guard, Cliff was very active in his community. He taught Sunday school to the church youth, was a 4-H Leader, fire chief of the Albany Volunteer Fire Department, President of the local Lions Club, and was also the local boy scout master; later encouraging his oldest grandson to obtain Eagle Scout. As his children grew older, it was important to him that he always be able to provide for his family, so in 1991, he returned to school to earn his Associates Degree in Mid-Management from Cisco Junior College. Even after retirement, Cliff remained active with family and service. He hated to miss an opportunity to support his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, so he spent a lot of time traveling to various activities and events. He loved and served his country bravely and was an active member of the Abilene Grunts Association and was involved in planning and preparations for the Annual TET Reunion. Through the years, Cliff made many life long friendships he always treasured. In his spare time, he loved fishing, hunting, gardening, and woodworking; building and restoring furniture.
Cliff had a strong work ethic instilled in him from his parents and grandparents, which he passed on to his children. He had a strong faith and wondered how anyone could not have faith, especially when going through illness and trials of life. He loved listening to gospel music, especially Elvis (even as much as Glenda). He served as a deacon at South Side Baptist Church in Clyde and at the time of his death, he was a member of Lane Prairie Baptist Church, Joshua. He was very proud of his children, their spouses, his grand and great-grandchildren. He loved them deeply.
Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, sister Sharon Arther, brother-in-law Bret Arther, brother-in-law Charles Fox, sister-in-law Barbara Fox, and many dear aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Glenda, his three amazing children and their spouses: son Shane and wife Shanthi, daughters Misty Lawrence and husband Billy, and Melissa Massie and husband Matthew. His beautiful grandchildren Angel Boyle and husband Bryan, Toby, Cayenne, and Hannah Lawrence, Rhianna Briggs, MJ Massie, and Declan Steddum. And his precious great-grandchildren Colton, Abigail, and Madilynn Boyle. Also his Aunt Kedron Franklin, niece Christy DiBartolomeo, her husband Michael and their son Dixon, brother-in-law Joe Donald Fox, sister-in-law Mary Jo Fox, nephew Corky Fox and wife Mona, niece Kitty Baker and husband Kevin and their families, Aunt Annie Bell Fox, and many dear cousins on each side of the family who have been so supportive.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8th at Edwards Funeral Home in Eastland. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Donations in Cliff’s memory can be made to:
Ranger Vietnam Memorial
PO Box 251
Ranger, Texas 76470
Abilene Grunts Association
c/o Tom Stone
1409 Coventry Circle
Abilene, Texas 79602
Olden Homecoming
(Memo: Scholarship Fund)
c/o Laverne Boyett
P.O. Box 224
Olden, Texas 76466
