Clifford Claflin

Clifford Herman Claflin was born June 24, 1933, to Ivan Claflin and Esther Claflin (Underdahl) in Slope County, N.D. He passed away Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, surrounded by family members.

He moved with his parents and two older sisters to Harrison, Idaho, in 1936. They landed at their new home on the very day that his future love and wife of 68 years, Alice Peterson, was born in St. Maries, Idaho. He attended elementary school at East Point and graduated from Harrison High School in 1951. While living in Harrison, the family grew, adding a brother and two sisters.

He met Alice in April 1952 and married on June 13, 1953. He worked in the lumber industry for all of his life in mills throughout the Northwest, starting with Russel & Pugh near Harrison. He was a devoted son, husband and father doing what needed to be done to support his family. He loved “real” country music and dancing — a legacy he passed on to his children. He loved working with his hands: carpentry, lapidary — learning the skill of putting stones to beautiful jewelry, moving on to intarsia, and finally to lathe work. He also loved hunting, fishing and camping. He loved life and was a master storyteller. In his final years he was devoted to caring for his wife.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, sisters Eunice Harris and Helen Themelis, brother Roy Claflin, son Rodney Claflin, daughter Connie Masterman and son-in-law Jerry Allbee. He is survived by his loving wife Alice, daughter Wanda Allbee, sons Mike (Margeux) Claflin and Gary (Leisa) Claflin as well as grandchildren Kevin, Brandy, Amy, Brian, Tricia, Nicole, Ryan and Alex and fifteen great-grandchildren: Mason, Austin, Jade, Nathan, Justin, Brandon, Colby, Richard, William, Jeremy, Natasha, Declan, Isabella, Caleb and Kyle. He is also survived by sisters Eva Watrus and Peggy Howard.

He is already missed by his family and friends. The family will be holding a private gravesite service at a later date.