Cliff Hewitt

With his family surrounding him in love, Clifford Lee Hewitt passed from this life at his Cleveland home on December 16, 2017 at the age of 53 years, 10 months and 22 days, after a hard-fought battle with ALS.

Cliff was born to Alfred Weslie Hewitt and Ellyn Joyce (Hart) Hewitt in Cleveland, Okla., on January 25, 1964. He was the third sibling after sister Lavonne and sandwiched between brothers Gerald and Clinton. Cliff was a joy to his parents, the two people he admired most, and he tried to replicate his life after their example.

A graduate of Cleveland High School in 1982, Cliff was a good student and a classmate who was a friend to all. Everyone knew him as shy and kind - an honest boy who always had a smile and an outstretched hand. It was a reputation he didn’t set out to create, but it was a natural one, and it followed him throughout his life.

As reliable and dependable as an Oklahoma sunrise, Cliff worked hard to provide for his wife and children. He did his best to ensure they didn’t want for a thing. An assembler/painter by trade, Cliff worked for National Oilwell Varco until his retirement in 2015 after 31 years.

Cliff married the love of his life, Kimberly Jo Crafton, on July 7, 1997, in Las Vegas. They raised two beautiful children together – Ashley Jo and Kody Vaughn – of whom he was proud beyond measure. Cliff and Kim seemingly were made for each other, their personalities and values complementing in a way others could see from a mile away. The couple made it a point to keep life lighthearted. With Cliff’s clever sense of humor, not a day passed where there wasn’t laughter in their home. Cliff and Kim made everything an adventure, traveling throughout the country and supplying their children with infinite memories. They always kept music a central part of everything, a love Cliff rightly inherited from his parents. Cliff and Kim took in concerts all across the region, seeing some of the greatest all-time names in “real” country music. Perhaps their most meaningful journey together was when Cliff decided to make a “bucket list” of things he wanted to experience before his time on Earth was complete, and Kim did everything she could to help make each item a reality. Even though their travels had taken them to tropical islands and the stomping grounds of George Jones, the truth was that even if they were sitting on the back porch watching the grandchildren play, it was a day in paradise spent together.

All 53 of his years Cliff lived in Cleveland, a town he adored like it was an extra family member. A quiet leader, Cliff never drew attention to himself or his kind deeds. To him, kindness was something everyone should display to their neighbors, so he didn’t believe he was doing anything special. Over the years, mostly under the guise of anonymity, Cliff did countless volunteer projects for the community.

A huge supporter of Cleveland athletics, Cliff didn’t often miss a home football game or a Hominy rivalry game. He was proud of his heritage as a Cleveland Tiger, and he always was present at activities in which Ashley and Kody participated as kids, the kind of dad who stood to the side and beamed with each accomplishment. He also was an avid fan of the Oklahoma Sooners, which was a deep-rooted family affair spanning generations. He looked forward to family gatherings on Sooner Saturdays almost as much as he enjoyed his weekly ritual of early Sunday morning coffee with his parents.

Cliff will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, papa, son, brother and friend. His unconditional love for his immediate and extended family was displayed freely every day. Cliff was a man of few words, but one didn’t need to hear his booming, deep voice to know they were cared for by him. Cliff demonstrated his love with his deeds and a quiet heart that spoke volumes. Cliff genuinely loved his family, friends and community until his last breath.

Preceding Cliff in death was his beloved mother, Ellyn Hewitt. He is survived by his loving wife, Kimberly Jo Hewitt, of the home; father, Alfred Weslie Hewitt; daughter Ashley Jo Webster, son Kody Vaughn Hewitt and his wife, Kayla; sister Lavonne Goodell and husband Micheal; brother Gerald Hewitt, and wife Sherry; and brother Clinton Hewitt, and his fianceé, Shari Sawyer, all of Cleveland. Also his grandchildren, who were the light of his world: Emery Jane Sasser, Hope Taylor Hewitt, Lily Jo Hewitt, Owen Lee Webster and Gunner Weslie Hewitt.

Cliff loved and was loved in return by a large extended family, including aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, countless cousins and an army of friends who will miss his presence.

Services to honor Cliff’s life will be held at Western Heights Baptist Church on Tuesday, December 19, 2017, at 2 p.m. Lifelong friend David Head will officiate. Burial will follow at Woodland Cemetery.

The family has asked that if you would like to make a donation in Cliff's memory, make it to The Mayberry Foundation of Cleveland, where Cliff was a tireless volunteer.

Chapman-Black Funeral Home is in charge of the of arrangements.


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