Obituary of James E. Clifton

James E. Clifton October 4th, 1951 – March 20th, 2023 James E Clifton was born in Portland, Oregon to Wayne Clifton and Minnie Newburn Clifton. He was the last of five children. Jim attended Marcus Whitman Grade School and John Marshall High School. He didn’t care much for school and dropped out before graduation. He joined the Army and was Honorably Discharged in 1972. He went back to school and received his GED in 1977. Jim never married or had children, but he loved and spent a lot of time with his many nieces and nephews. After leaving the Army, Jim worked as a bartender. While at that job, he met some roadies and got involved in touring and selling t-shirts for various rock groups off and on for 30 years. Some names of the groups were The Rolling Stones, Motley Crew, Cheap Trick, Journey, and Ricky Nelson. He traveled all around the U.S. He also worked for Wacker, a chip company for a few years. Jim enjoyed bowling and golfing. He owned a boat that he kept docked in Oregon City. He eventually sold the boat and bought a wave runner which he shared the upkeep of with his friend Gilbert. He also worked as a volunteer at the VA hospital in the cancer ward. He enjoyed it very much and was proud of his many hours and awards for his work there. Jim also enjoyed going to Mexico every winter and spent Christmas with his many friends there. He dressed up as Jimmy Claus and handed out presents. He always brought rock shirts for all of his friends when he visited. Jim always seemed to bring the party with him. Jim is survived by his sisterr, Jean Hesse, 13 nieces and nephews, 33 great nieces and nephews, and 18 great-great nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brothers Wayne and Ken, his sister Carolyn, and his nephew Bob. Services will be held Saturday, April 1st, 2023, at 11:00 am at Sunnyside Little Chapel of the Chimes. 11667 SE Stevens Rd., Happy Valley, OR 97086 Donations can be made to the VA hospital in Portland. 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd, Portland, OR 97239. 503-273-5042.