Carl Clifton "Cliff" Elliott Jr.

Carl Clifton “Cliff” Elliott, Jr., a man who loved his wife completely, went to his heavenly home on May 31, 2023.
A graveside services will be 2;00pm, Monday, June 5, 2023, at Claybar Haven of Rest Cemetery 13851 US-90, Beaumont, TX 77713. Officiating will be Reverend Nathan Cothen and Matt Dunn. Military Honors will be provided by Southeast Texas Veterans Group.

Cliff was born August 22, 1952, in Beaumont, Texas. His parents were Carl Clifton Elliott, Sr. and Winnie Rose Johnson Elliott. Shortly after graduating from Forest Park High School in 1970, Cliff joined the U.S. Army. He received his basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana on September 4, 1972. He was then sent to his permanent duty station in Fort Davis, Panama. Cliff served as a military policeman for two years at the Panama Canal in the 549th MP Company USARCO 95 B20 Military Police. He was honorably discharged on September 4, 1974. Soon after being discharged from the service, he entered LIT where he received an associate degree in HVAC. He later returned to LIT and taught a class.

Cliff was a very proud member of the American Legion Post 72 in Lumberton.
One of Cliff’s true passions was fishing. During his time in the Army, he was able to fish at Gaton Lake near Panama on both the Pacific and Caribbean sides. He then returned home to fish all he wanted. Cliff’s love for adventure began in Beaumont where he was part of a skydive team at Beaumont Municipal Airport. He continued skydiving while he was stationed in Panama, where he would fly out of Frank Field Air Force Base Colon, and for many years after he returned to Texas. He also was certified as a scuba diver while in Panama. The Caribbean Sea, Devil’s Beach, Fort Sherman, and Fort Randolph were a few of the diving areas Cliff enjoyed exploring. Cliff loved snow skiing and was an excellent and very graceful skier. He and his close group of friends skied for 15 years at Steamboat Springs, Winter Park, Jackson Hole, Copper Mountain, and Key Stone. Cliff always had a love for all kinds of music. He had a very gifted tenor (lead) voice. He sang and played his guitar with the group Yeller Dog, Priscilla and James Hale, and others. They played at local areas and churches for many years and made several CDs. Several years ago, he was the song director for 11 years at his church. Cliff and Brenda loved to travel. They took a cruise to Mexico, trips to Costa Rica, Colorado, Arizona, California, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Cancun, Mexico. They often would bring their bikes to Galveston and lots of other places in Texas and Louisiana. Cliff was a treasure to all, a man who genuinely loved people. He was kind, smart, witty, gentle, strong, and handsome. He loved deeply and was admired for his quiet Christian spirit.

Cliff is preceded in death by his parents Carl and Winnie Elliott, grandson Roman Dunn, and brother-in-law Mike “Buzz” Gentry.

Left to cherish his memory is his devoted wife Brenda. Cliff is survived by his daughter Elana Dunn and her husband Matt, his son Carl Clifton “Trae” Elliott, III and his wife Brandee, all of Beaumont; stepdaughter Brandi Wulf and her husband Brian of Beaumont; stepdaughter Lacy Radomski and her husband Jeff of Chicago, IL; grandchildren Marcus, Ana, Samuel, Megan, Jacob, Gabriel, Sophee, and Jack, all of Beaumont; step grandchildren Cody, Caroline, Ryan, and Jordan; and one step great-granddaughter, Mia. He had three sisters, Kary Orgain and her husband John of Ore City, TX; Shannon Gentry of Jasper; and Crystal Freed and her husband Danny of Mauriceville.

Cliff also is remembered by a host of nieces and nephews who enjoyed his very dry sense of humor.

Cliff’s wife Brenda would like to express her deepest gratitude to his wonderful caregivers Hannah, Morgan, Stephanie, Kacie, Johnna, Dr. Gwendolyn Lavalais, and especially Faye.

In lieu of flowers, Brenda asks that you make a donation to the Garth House or the Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program.

Cliff expressed his wish for a military graveside service with family and friends welcome to attend.

Pastor Nathan Couthen will officiate the service. Cliff’s son-in-law will deliver an opening prayer and a reading of the obituary.

Pallbearers: Brian Wulf, Cody Wulf, Danny Freed, Matt Dunn, Marcus Dunn, and Carl Clifton “Trae” Elliott, III. Honorary pallbearer: Jeff Radomski

When tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand
That an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand.
The angel said my place was ready in Heaven far above
And that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
But when I walked through Heaven’s Gates, I felt so much at home,
For God looked down, smiled at me, and told me, “Welcome Home.”
So when tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me, I’m right there in your heart.