Roll Call Tribute

Richard Thomas Cliffe, Jr.
August 16, 1928 – November 16, 2022

Richard Thomas Cliffe, Jr., age 94, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 16, 2022 in Bryan, TX. Born in Yoakum, TX to R.T. Cliffe, Sr. and Dorothy Pyle Cliffe, both who predeceased him.

At an early age his family moved to Houston where he grew up. After graduating from Stephen F. Austin High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Upon his honorable discharge from the USMC, he enrolled at Texas A&M University. In 1952, he graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. His career included developing propulsion systems for the USAF, serving in Mission Control during the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, and serving on the Mission Support team who orchestrated the successful rescue of the Apollo 13 astronauts. He spent the following 22 years of his career as a manager for SIP in the petrochemical industry in Houston.

He was a loving Christian, husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of almost 70 years, Clarice Moore Cliffe, his daughter Celeste Cliffe Anthony, son-in-law David Anthony, granddaughter and husband Alexandra and Kyle Cowden, granddaughter and husband Stefanie and Oliver Davis, great grandson Cason Cowden and great granddaughter Peyton Cowden.

A graveside service will be held at Forest Park Lawndale on Saturday, 2:00 PM, November 26, 2022.

In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to the Texas A&M Cadet Corps at givetocorps@txamfoundation.com or http://give.am/supportcorps.