Austin Lincoln Clifford

Austin Lincoln Clifford, aka Linc Clifford, age 88, deeply loved son, husband, father, grandfather, 
uncle and friend, slipped away from this frail existence on Friday, December 14, 2018 surrounded by his family.
After a life well lived, his great and loving heart gave way, so he could return to his heavenly home. He was born the only child of Helen Dick Clifford and Austin Leonard Clifford in Idaho Falls, ID on February 12, 1930. He cherished his time spent on his grandmother’s farm in Shelley, ID with his many aunts, uncles and cousins. The family moved to Ogden, Utah in the early 1940’s where he grew to be a young adult, surrounded by great friends who were like brothers to him. He graduated from Weber State before serving for 3 ½ years in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict at McDill Air Base in Tampa, Florida, as the purchasing agent for all perishable food, feeding 10,000 airmen three meals a day.

A man of few words, he lived large. He boasted, unabashedly at times, about his Alma Mater, Utah State University, where he attended college on the G.I. Bill, and the quality of the engineering programs there; his 62 year marriage to his “little” wife, Dixie Olsen, from Paradise, UT, whom he married on August 17, 1956 in the Salt Lake Temple; his 44 year career as a consulting engineer in metallurgy and arc welding with Lincoln Electric Company of Cleveland, OH which began through a fortuitous meeting with a Lincoln district manager when Linc was a tour guide in Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyons the summer before his senior year at Utah State; his fine children -- his beautiful daughters, his 25 years of annual trips to Alaska with his much admired son; the achievements of his grandchildren – after all, Grandpa’s have a responsibility to believe their “grands” are the best, the brightest and most talented; his love of mountains, fishing streams, God’s wild creatures (including Silver Salmon), and cats; he relished in the company of good food with dear family and friends, his talent and participation in the team sports of basketball and softball until the age of 60 years; his almost uncontrollable love of automobiles, and his ability of justify large expenditures in spite of his Scottish heritage when the deal was too good to pass up – the only car he regretted not owning was the 1932 Ford coupe with/rumble seat that somehow never presented at the appropriate time.

He was a one-woman-man, committing to a formal relationship only when he met the “right girl” and rewarding her daily with dedication, admiration and lovey eyes. He was a work-a-holic, working diligently to provide an incredible life for his family. It began with the knowledge at age 12 that if he wanted something and worked hard enough and long enough, he could have it (hence his fascination with cars). His philosophy of a good days work was to start out before rush hour began in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Denver, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City and come home after it was over. His frugality was legendary, and he was known for high production with a low expense account, but never cutting out what was most important.

He was loyal to his faith as a High Priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; He fiercely loved his country and as a political conservative who believed in limited government, responsibility and accountability, and to his family where he exemplified the role or provider and protector.

He is survived by his wife, Dixie Clifford, Orem Utah and two daughters, Cristi Bulloch (Howard) of Las Vegas, Nevada, Kathleen Fueston (John) of Draper, and his son, Lincoln Olsen Clifford (Jennifer) of Orem. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Laurel and Jordan Johnson, Bryce and Kyle Fueston, Bethany Bulloch; and Lincoln John, Benjamin and Nicholas Clifford. He is also the great-grandfather of Audrey Ann Johnson (age 2 1/2) with a great grandson expected to arrive in January 2019. He is predeceased by his parents and a daughter, Alyce Helen Clifford.

A viewing will be held at Nelson Family Mortuary 4780 N. University Avenue, Provo, UT on Friday, December 21, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, December 22, with a viewing from 9:00 to 9:45 am and funeral services to begin at 10:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - 1505 North 130 East, Orem, UT.

The interment and grave dedication will follow in the Paradise, UT Cemetery 8940 S. 340 E. at 3:00 pm, with a brief memorial service with military honors and then refreshments at the Paradise Chapel 9060 South 200 West for Cache Valley family and friends. Funeral arrangements are being coordinated by Allen-Hall Mortuary in Logan, Utah. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor, Utah State University, College of Engineering.

If you would like to enter the funeral destination address in your phone or car, please use the following address: 60 E 1600 N St, Orem, UT 84057

The Clifford family thanks all who have provided service and love to them at this tender time.

Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.allenmortuaries.com