Clifton Charles Lyles

On Friday, August 25, 2023, Clifton Charles Lyles passed away at the age of 95 surrounded by his loved ones.  Clifton was born on May 17, 1928 in Jourdanton, Texas to Emmit and Lois Lyles. 

Clifton graduated from Freer High School and on December 24, 1947, he married Marie Harvill.  They raised a son, Steve, and a daughter, Cheryl, in Freer, Texas.  While working and after retirement from Exxon Mobil, Clifton spent much of his time ranching and tending to his cattle.

His grandkids and great grandkids knew him as Pawpaw.  He loved his family and enjoyed family trips.  We remember his stories of camping at Yellowstone National Park with his kids, and were privileged to have fond memories of Buchannan Lake, which was a tradition since the 50’s.  Each summer Pawpaw and Mamaw would take us grandkids to the beach as well as camping on the ranch by the tank to sleep under the stars.  He loved teaching us kids to hunt and fish.  Pawpaw enjoyed watching good horses work, but somehow always ended up buying ones too tall for him to mount - without standing on a bucket.  He took great pleasure in loading up and taking a granddaughter to rodeos or to pick up a horse; it was even more special because he had done some roping back in his younger days.  Pawpaw made sure his great grandkids stayed involved to continue his legacy and way of life.

Clifton was a dog man.  Never was there a time he didn’t own a good pack of hounds and enjoyed hunting bobcats and the occasional lion.  In recent years, he was fortunate to have friends take him out hunting so he could hear his dogs tree a cat - with his wheelchair strapped on top of the dog box.

Clifton was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 70 years, Marie, his daughter, Cheryl Lyles Smith, granddaughter, Mariah Linn Smith, sister, Doris Chaddock, and sister-in-law, Barbara Mitchell.

He is survived by his son, Steve (Judy) Lyles, his son-in-law, Glenn Smith; his grandchildren, Renee McQuillan (late Shaun McQuillan), Sobrina (Landry) Maguglin, Travis Lyles, Savannah Smith (late Gilbert N. Saenz); his great-grandchildren, Landyn Maguglin, Syndilyn Maguglin, Shae McQuillan, Shaylyn Maguglin, Layne Maguglin, Raegan McQuillan; sister-in-law, JoNell (Bill) Huff, as well as several nieces, nephews, and friends.

Burial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at the Hahl Memorial Cemetery in Freer. 

Services are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 East Main Street, Alice, Texas.

Condolences may be offered at www.holmgreenmortuaryinc.com

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