I was sorry to hear of Clif's passing. I knew of him through his first wife Jan. Derek and Jan I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. 🙏🙏
Deanna Strait

Cliff was one of those people that it was a joy to stand near him, and hope some of the sunshine falling on him would include you. What a wonderful, kind, and gentle soul. Will miss him very much on the birding  walks. 
Betsy Goodwin

My years at East high school are filled with memories of Cliff Smith. We carpooled to and from work together and worked every basketball game for both boys and girls .  Cliff kept the score and I ran the clock.

We shared a lot of laughs and always got along like the best of friends. Although I rarely saw him recently, I will always miss him.

Sally and I always enjoyed his Texas accent and dry sense of humor. He was a good friend.

Pat and Sally Mara

Clif and I had classrooms two doors away from each other and in between classes we would stand in the hallways and chat. He was so easy going but a few times we would complain about faculty meetings . Clif was a great teacher and so sad for your loss Pearl. My sincere sympathy, love, and peace to you and family. Cathy Maes

Pearle, 
I was shocked and dismayed to find out that Cliff had passed away! He was my teacher at East high school I learned Shakespeare from him and I enjoyed it immensely because he taught it with the Texan twang and would say this dude was saying this and this dude was doing that. He brought it down to a level, which made it enjoyable! I had the opportunity to learn Paradise Loatby John Milton from him as well. He always was one of my most favorite teachers and always will continue to be so. I later on had the opportunity to work with him at Centennial high school and absolutely enjoyed seeing him and getting to visit with him  on a daily basis. I was so excited when I found out that he had married you and just thought that you guys were the most perfect couple! I always love seeing photos that he took or sometimes seeing the adventures that you guys went on when you went birding .

Cliff touched thousands of lives through his teaching his memory will live on, and we will cherish the time that we had with him. I am so grateful to have been fortunate enough to walk on his path for a short period of time.

My most sincere and deep condolences.,
Susie Aronofsky

Dear Pearl,  I am so saddened to read about Clif’s passing.  I enjoyed knowing him at Centennial.  It was great to share many breakfasts with him, and get to know him even better.  I’m sorry to read about his recent health  problems.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and his family.  Jan Chenoweth

My deepest condolences to everyone who is related or knew , Mr. Smith. I was a student of his in 1993 thru 1997. I was struggling that first year & he never gave up on me.  Helped me go from a failing student to graduating early.  He even helped while I was in college my first year.  Very few teachers like him, he was one of the good ones.  He taught me so much & introduced me to different Authors & books, he was the reason I fell in love with classic literature. I use to call him "papi" because of his Texas accent & joked how he looked like Popeyes papi when he squint & say "see here".  He was loved by many students. He will be missed.

We'll never regret introducing Clif to Pearle. We knew they would have a good life together.  We were honored to be part of their wedding ceremony.  Clif was a special person and teacher - the only English teacher we ever met who could make Shakespeare interesting, and fun, with a Texas accent.  Clif was our good friend.  He was also a mentor to our son, Patrick, when he was student teaching at Centennial. Over the years, we had so many good times (Taos, New Mexico was one) with Clif and Pearle. Thinking of you, Pearle.  Special thoughts and love  to Pearle and Derek from the Kellers!

So sorry for your loss Pearle.  A good man and fine teacher.

I was very sorry to learn of Clif's passing.   I taught with Clif at Centennial for a few years.   He taught the Honors English 10 class.   I was always anxious that the students I prepared for his class were ready for the great education they would receive in the talented Mr. Smith's class.   He was an excellent English teacher and gentleman.    I dearly remember that Texas drawl as we discussed English or life in general.    May God grant him eternal peace.

Dear Pearle and family, I am saddened to hear of Clif's illness and passing.  I have fond memories of our times of birding with the Colorado Field Ornithologists in SE  Colorado/Pueblo areas and Lamar  Convention.  You both were very kind to me as a new member of the CFO.
   You and Clif invited me to stay overnight at your home rather than my driving home to Denver late one day, many years ago!
   I keep you in my prayers, Pearle, and ask for  God's peace and comfort. Karleen Schofield

I taught with Cliff when he was at Centennial and he was a joy to be around. He always had a kind word for students as well as the teachers around him and he had a great sense of humor.
 He stood outside his door between classes and I often passed by just to say hello to him. I’m sure he touched many lives in a positive way and he will be remembered as a kind, gentle soul who always had a smile.
  Sincerely,  Kathleen Salimeno 
                        Math Department Centennial High

I taught with Cliff at Centennial , he was a wonderful person and a great teacher.

I knew Clif from the bird walk on the Arkansas river.  He was such a great guy, patient and informative.   He is missed.

Always a friend and member of "Class of 65".
God bless.

Mr. Smith was my English literature teacher during the 1975/76 school year. He was one of my favorite teachers because he was funny and made our class so enjoyable!  I'm so sorry for your loss.  He was a good man.

Everyone who knew Clif, will miss him dearly.  He and Pearle were nice enough to take me on birding trips, before I could drive myself around.  A lot of fun times for sure.

Sending Pearl and the rest of Clif’s family my heartfelt condolences.  He was a great friend to my birder brother, Brandon for many years!  Very nice man.  Sending a huge hug to Pearl during this sad time.
Amanda ‘Mandy Percival’ Smith

Mr. Smith was my teacher at East High School and later my supervising teacher at Centennial High School.  Later, we were colleagues.  He had an amazing Southern sense of humor, loved birding and danced a jig.  Although he had a casual way about him, he loved  literature and grammar. Most  importantly, I will remember him as a mentor and friend.  Fly with the angels. 🤍🕊️🤍

Geraldine Kennedy

Sorry to see this. Cliff was a good man & educator. I enjoyed the years that we spent together as teaching colleagues at Centennial HS.  
RIP, my good man.
Coach Tom Brockman

OBITUARY

Clifton Barnett Smith

11 August, 1947 – 5 July, 2024

T.G. McCarthy Funeral Home

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