Clinton

ANGLETON—Richard Kenneth Clinton Sr., 80, of Danbury went to his Lord and Savior, March 25, 2021, at Angleton-Danbury Hospital due to pneumonia.

He was born May 13, 1940, at Plum Creek, north of Luling, to Bernard and Annie Clinton.

His family followed his father Bernard in the Texas oil fields till settling in Baytown, where he was known as “Butch” and attended Baytown schools graduating from Robert E. Lee in 1958.

His summers were spent at his grandmothers in Rockdale, where he helped his uncles Willie and Gus and his dear aunt Louise on the family farm spending time with his many cousins.

After graduation, Richard enlisted in the Army operating one of the country’s first rocket air defense systems. He was forced to get an early discharge when his father had a massive stroke, from that day on he supported his family, usually working two jobs.

He went to work for Dow Chemical in Freeport in 1961, he was then reactivated by the Army for the Berlin Crisis that year.

He met his wife Dolores, and they were married for life on Aug. 17, 1963.

In 1967, they moved from Lake Jackson where they had lived since their marriage, to Danbury, where he resided the remainder of his life.

Richard volunteered on Danbury Volunteer Fire Department for many years, where he helped build the existing fire department building.

Being a relief operator at Dow, he spent most of his waking hours there, spending most of his career in 5200 block Epoxy 1, where he was known as “Wildman.” The stories of them “good ol’ days of Dow” are still being told.

At Dow, he participated on many of the sports leagues and loved playing golf. He retired from Dow after 36 years in 1996.

Following a short retirement, he went back to work full time for Rangen Inc., finally retiring after 14 years with them.

Richard was close to his family, not only continuing to help with his parents, but also any family members that were going through tough times, buying school clothes or anything they needed, including taking them on our family vacations. Because of this, he had many adopted children, both neighborhood and extended family.

Family vacations were always centered on visiting other family members. Usually with a stop in Rockdale, where he had so many happy memories and many a game of dominoes were played. His Aunt Emma was fast to come over when she heard of his arrival.

Dominoes, especially 42 and Moon, were a great part of his life as well as card games like Canasta.

He was always there to help all in need, from helping build an indoor bathroom for his aunt, so she didn’t have to go to the outhouse, to one of his last, in his 70’s, where he helped put on a roof for his son’s mother in-law. When he couldn’t help, he would lend out his sons.

He liked being outdoors, gardening, hunting, fishing, and later attending his grandchildren’s and great niece’s and nephew’s sporting events.

He rarely paid for anything he could do for himself, so his children learned to do many things assisting him. He had many a late night wake up to help someone broke down on the road.

Richard is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dolores Sue (Buchta) Clinton; his Children, Richard Jr. and wife Penny, David and wife Janice Wright, Susan Grubbs and husband Terry, and Eric. They have nine surviving grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren with another due soon.

He is also survived by his sister, Peggy Bird and husband Robert, brother Jim Clinton and wife Mary, brother-in-law Jams Luke, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, his adopted child Carol Cisneros, who has been his care giver for the last several years, and of course his dog, Tinker, his constant companion.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Annie Clinton; sisters Nancy Luke and Janie Smith; brothers Jackie and William; one grandchild and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be at Palms Funeral Home in Angleton, with visitation Thursday, April 1, starting at 4 p.m. for family and 5 to 7 p.m. for friends and funeral services on Friday, April 2, at 10 am.

For the safety of all attending, mask and are required and social distancing is encouraged.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmsfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Palms Funeral Home, 2300 E. Mulberry, Angleton, TX 77515.