Harry W. Clifton

Harry W. Clifton, was born Jan. 7, 1927, in Spickard and his time on earth was completed on Tuesday, May 26, 2015.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”
— Romans 1:16. ESV
Harry was a graduate of Spickard High school in Spickard, Missouri, William Jewell College in Liberty and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, where he was honored as alumni of the year.
He served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II.
He married Fern Lucille Harris on July 18, 1949. She preceded him in death in 2013. They had three children: Martha Wenger, Mary Colston and Mark Clifton. They had seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was also affectionately loved by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Brother Harry, as he was so affectionately called for his entire ministry, preached his first sermon in 1947. He was a preacher of the gospel for nearly 70 years, participating in leading a funeral only a few weeks ago.
He served as the pastor of Spickard Baptist Church in Spickard, Missouri, First Baptist Church of Princeton, Calvary Baptist Church in Chillicothe, Immanuel Baptist Church in Independence and in retirement he served as the pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Topeka, KS.
Brother Harry loved Fern, his bride of more than 64 years. He loved his children, his grandchildren, his extended family, his church members and everyone he met. He was privileged to perform marriages, funerals and baptismal services for thousands of people throughout his ministry. Each of the churches where he served as pastor experienced incredible growth and planted new churches during his ministry. He provided a pathway for numerous young men to become pastors and missionaries.
But most of all – above all else – Brother Harry loved the cross and Savior who died upon it and then rose from death victorious over sin and the grave.
The source of Brother Harry’s love and compassion and joy was the cross. In 70 years of ministry he never got over the cross. The last prayer he prayed he thanked God for the cross and for saving him, a sinner unworthy.
To celebrate the life of Brother Harry is to celebrate the power of the cross upon an ordinary life.
The visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2015 at the Sycamore Hills Baptist Church in Independence. The memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at the Sycamore Hills Baptist Church in Independence. Burial will be 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Shelburne Baptist Cemetery on Route W, southwest of Trenton.
The family requests any memorial gifts be made to the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (namb.net) or the building fund of Sycamore Hills Baptist Church.
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
— Acts 20:24 ESV