Earnest Clifton, of Mason, passed away on Thursday, July 6, at the age of 76.  He was born on July 25, 1946 in Menard, Texas to James Everett Clifton and Marie Bailey Clifton.  He was drafted into the Army in 1965 and was a member of the 9th Infantry Division and spent a year in Vietnam.  Before going to Vietnam, he married Darlene Gamel on Feb. 20, 1965 in Mason.  After Earnest returned from the service they started their family and were blessed with seven children.  Darlene passed away on January 7, 1996.

Earnest was a long-time resident of Mason.  He worked as a truck driver and as a heavy equipment operator.  He never truly retired but his last job before retiring was working as the Road and Bridge Supervisor for Menard County for 5 years.  Earnest loved the outdoors and horses.  He also loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Marilyn Clifton, his children: Nancy Douglas of Robinson, Barbara Pearson (Phillip) of Driftwood, James Clifton (Katy) of Canyon Lake, John Clifton (Olivia) of Glenrose, Chris Clifton (Michelle) of Bulverde, Farrah Kothmann (Kevin) of Kerrville and Mindy Clifton of Mason, a brother Everett Clifton of Garden City, a sister-in-law Shirley Clifton of Mason, 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.  In addition to his first wife Darlene, Earnest was preceded in death by his brother Wayne Clifton, a son-in-law Glen Douglas, sister-in-law Betty Clifton and a niece Shirley Copeland.

Visitation with the family will be Monday evening, July 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Mason Funeral Home.  The funeral service will be held graveside at the Gooch Cemetery on Tuesday, July 11, at 11:00 a.m. with Military Honors.  Serving as pallbearers are his grandsons: Tim Clifton, Tyler Douglas, Cody Pearson, Weston Clifton, Logan Douglas, Quaid Brandenberger, Brayden Davis, Kyle Pearson, Jace Clifton, Gabriel Del Toro and Christopher Matteson.  Honorary pallbearers are Myron McCleod, Milton Bailey, Hoby Bailey, Richard Bailey, Monty Munsell, Hal McMillan, Edward Keith, Sam Crisp and Toby Gibbs.