Long Time Rotarian, Jerry Clifford Passes Away
February 26, 1947 – January 2, 2026
Jerry Thomas Clifford, passed away peacefully leaving a legacy of leadership, community service, devotion to family and love for flight.
Born February 26, 1947 in Denver, Colorado, he never tired of visits to the Rockies throughout the years. He was raised in Indianapolis proud of large paper routes managed from an early age that provided the foundation for a career in sales.
Jerry attended the Latin School of Indianapolis where he built a faithful brotherhood in the Class of 1965 that lasted his lifetime. He attended Saint Meinrad Seminary from 1965-1966 and the institution was a sacred place his entire life.
In 1967, he married Mary Ellen Martin in Indianapolis. Their marriage was the foundation of his life and he cherished her deeply in the everyday moments they spent together and in the strength in her presence.
He served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1967-1973. He began his work career at Graybar Electric in 1967. He then devoted 30 years to Indiana Bell/AT&T consistently achieving top sales awards in service to customers. In 1979, Governor Otis Bowen presented him with the Sagamore of the Wabash for his dedication to the telecommunication needs of the State of Indiana. He was most proud of his volunteer service to others in the community during retirement including: Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), AARP Foundation Tax Aide IRS-certified volunteer, Fort Harrison Reuse Authority Commissioner, City of Lawrence Redevelopment Commission Commissioner, and The Fort Golf Resort Volunteer Starter. Equally, he enjoyed the best of friends through hobbies including the Experimental Aircraft Association at Mt. Comfort Airport, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis for 38 years, the Indianapolis Athletic Club for 30 years, and a certain early Friday morning coffee club.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jeremiah Francis Clifford and Mary Elizabeth Clifford. He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen and his three children: Christopher T. Clifford (Stephanie) of Zionsville, Suzanne M. Taylor (Dana) of Fort Thomas, KY & Colleen M. Starkey (Nickolas) of Colorado Springs, CO. His beloved grandchildren include Katherine Clifford, Benjamin Clifford, Nicholas Clifford, Matthew Clifford, Evan Taylor, Andrew Taylor, Anna Starkey, and Steel Starkey. He also relished and was blessed by extended family and friends beyond measure.
Visitation for Jerry will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 from 4 – 7 p.m. at Oakley-Hammond Funeral Home, 5342 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46219. Mass of Christian Burial will 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 5333 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46219. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.
