Clifford Ray Mixer was born May 17, 1918, in rural Ellis County, KS, to the late Adelbert and Alice B. (Cruson) Mixer. He passed away Friday, December 24, 2010, in the Renown Medical Center at Reno, NV at the age of 92.


Cliff was raised in Ellis and graduated from Ellis High School with the class of 1938. After graduation, Cliff worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad as a trainman until he enlisted in the army for the duration of World War II. He served in the European Theatre and was among the soldiers that stormed the beaches of Normandy.

After the war, Clifford returned to Ellis and married his high School sweetheart, Lucille Walz, on May 16, 1946. They moved to Klamath Falls, OR where he continued his job with the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1970, Cliff transferred to Reno, NV with the railroad and retired in 1978. Lucille passed away September 1, 2004.


One of Cliff's most cherished lifetime hobbies was working with horses. He especially enjoyed teaching his nieces and nephews how to ride and if they fell off, he would tell them it was like life.. "When you fall, you get right back up and show it who is boss."

Survivors include a half sister, Shirley James, Miami, OK, a half brother, Terry Mixer, Mesa AZ, and many nieces and nephews.


He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lucille; a stepmother, Mayme Mixer; a brother, Bill Mixer; a sister, Leora Sims; a stepbrother, Jim Gray; and stepsisters, Dorothy Mangold, Betty Intemann, and Ann Chipman.

Graveside services for Clifford will be 10:30 AM, Monday, January 3, 2011 in the Mount Hope Cemetery at Ellis, KS. There will be no visitation.

Memorials are suggested to the Mount Hope Cemetery or the Ellis Good Samaritan Society and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.