Clifford Dewitt Peel

Clifford Dewitt Peel passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at the age of 86. He was born in San Antonio, Texas on January 11, 1926 to Frank and Clara Peel, and after his mother died, he was raised by his beloved step-mother, Geneva. Clifford spent many summers with his Uncle Bill Wright in Falfurrias, Texas, who taught Clifford the values of hard work, dedication, and discipline, all of which defined his life. After graduating from Burbank High School, Clifford joined the military and was sent to Louisiana Tech for Naval Pilot training and schooling. When the war ended, he met and married the love of his life, Velma Loraine Frye, on August 4, 1945. Their beloved four sons followed shortly thereafter. Clifford worked for City Public Service for 40 years and having worked his way through the ranks, he retired in 1985 as a Superintendent. One of his greatest loves was being involved in his sons’ athletic endeavors, and he was extremely active in coaching all of their church league’s basketball and softball teams. He was also heavily involved and took great pride in obtaining lights for youths’ baseball fields. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Justice and Talbert, and his sisters, Helen and Irene. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Velma; their sons Larry and his wife, Michele; Tom and his wife, Carol, Terry and his wife, T.A., and Denny and his wife, Lizanne; grandchildren Ryan and wife, Holly, Robin and husband, Doug Yeamans, Ashley, Brian and wife, Andi, Clifford and wife, Theresa, Michael, Jennifer, Garrett and wife, Mandie, JohnBlake and wife, Vanessa, and Kellyn and husband Keith Wilkes; 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. PaDee, as his beloved grandchildren called him, sent each of them the following poem upon their entering college entitled “State of Mind.” He signed each one “PaDee’s can Do Attitude”: “If you think you dare not, you don’t. If you’d like to win but think you can’t it’s almost a cinch that you won’t. If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost. For out in the world you’ll find success begins with a fellow’s will. It’s all in the state of mind.” Special thanks to Clifford and Velma’s caretakers, Rosie E. Muzquiz and Norma Garza, Dr. William Wu and Dr. Burton Shaw for their many years of professional care. A funeral service will take place on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 12pm at the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel, 1701 Austin Hwy, San Antonio, Tx, 78209 with interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Park. In Lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Boysville of San Antonio at http://www.boysvilletexas.org/ and/or The Alzheimer’s Association at http://www.alz.org/. Condolences may be offered at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com