Clifford William Stuart, age 93, of Ludington passed away on Friday June 30, 2017 at Spectrum Health – Ludington Hospital.
He was born on December 19, 1923 in East Grand Rapids, MI, son of the late Leo Earl and Nellie A. (Tesselaar) Stuart. Clifford graduated from South High in Grand Rapids, in 1941. Clifford enlisted in the United States Army in 1941, serving with the 82nd Airborne Paratroopers until his honorable discharge on March 9, 1946. He ran for the United States Track and Field Team in 1945 for the military service Olympics held in Berlin at the Olympic Stadium. This was also known as the “Little Olympics’” due to the fact that the Olympic were cancelled that year because of World War II. Clifford ran in both the 100 meter and 200 meter races. He won the gold medal in the 200 meter race.
Clifford married Ruth I. Charles on May 31, 1947. Ruth preceded him in death on November 23, 1988. Clifford later married Evelyn K. VanTassel on November 10, 1990 in Mears.
Clifford worked for many years for AAA as an Insurance Salesman, before retiring. He was Past President of the New Baltimore Rotary Club, Past President of the First Congregational Church Men’s Club and also served as a Deacon of the First Congregational Church in New Baltimore and lifetime member of the New Baltimore VFW Post 7573 and member of the Mears Methodist Church where he served as a trustee.
He was the co-founder of the New Baltimore Little League, was a referee for Football in the MHSAA, and enjoyed golfing, painting, racket ball and was an avid crossword puzzle worker.
Clifford is survived by his wife, Evelyn Stuart of Ludington; 2 sons, Charles C. (Carol) Stuart of Port Charlotte, FL and James (Patty) Stuart of Cumming, GA; daughter, Linda (Mike) Gonyeau of New Baltimore, MI; step-children, Randy VanTassel of Hyannis, MA and Trina Dodds of Hart, MI; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Ruth; foster parents, Andrew and Elta Anderson; brother, Jack M. Stuart; sisters, Betty Bozak and Venita Vanderlind; and step-son, James H. VanTassel.
Funeral services with military honors will be held at 2:00PM on Wednesday July 5, 2017 at Oak Grove Funeral Home in Ludington. The family will receive friends for visitation from 1:00PM until time of service. Cremation will follow and final interment will take place at Mears Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in memory of Clifford may be directed to the Stuart Family.
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