The Life of CLIFFORD MILTON BRAFFORD
Clifford M. Brafford, 97, passed away Thursday, January 3, 2013, at University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation. He was born August 25, 1915, in Scranton, Iowa, to Elda and Edward Brafford.
Clifford has been a resident of Des Moines since the age of 9, and graduated from North High School in 1933. He served in the United States Navy until his honorable discharge in 1945. Clifford retired from Firestone after 32 years of service. He owned and operated Cliff’s Hamburger House in the Drake area for many years, as well as Dad’s Old Fashioned Lemonaid at the fair grounds.
Clifford is survived by his wife, Barbara (Bobbie) Black Brafford; sons, Joe (Rikki), John (Candy); stepson, Bill (Karen) Black of Arizona; 19 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren; and his daughter-in-law, Penny Brafford. Clifford was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Mary; son, T. Michael Brafford; grandson, Randy Brafford; and great-grandson, Austin Brafford.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at All Saints Catholic Church, 650 NE 52nd Avenue, Des Moines, with burial following at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will greet family and friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, January 7, 2013, at the church, with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m.
The family would like to thank the staff at University Park Nursing and Rehab as well as the staff at Saint Jude Hospice for their care and compassion during this time.
In loving memory of Clifford, memorial contributions may be made to Saint Jude Hospice, 2480 Berkshire Parkway Suite C, Clive, Iowa 50325.