Clifford Harry Hazelton

Clifford Harry Hazelton was born October 23, 1913 in Los Angeles, California, the only child of Harry Raleigh Hazelton and Catherine Enos Hazelton. His father owned a Buick dealership and several ranches. His mother was a telephone operator. Cliff survived the 1918 flu epidemic and spent much of his childhood between military academies and his father's ranch, near Mt. Palomar in Southern California. His parents socialized with many influential people who were frequent guests in the Hazelton home. He went east to finish high school and to attend Columbia University where he studied Mine Engineering and he played football and ice hockey.

Cliff played many instruments and often "jammed" after hours with such famous jazz greats as the Dorsey Brothers and Glen Miller and many others. He joined the Army and in order to keep him in college when the rest of his unit moved out, they sent him to cooks and bakers school. He was able to travel a lot in Europe in between stints in the Army and lived in Switzerland for awhile. He heard that the Army was training pilots for the Army Air Corps and volunteered and was given pilot training.

Cliff's father invented a rotary engine for aircraft and even with England under attack during WWII, Cliff went to England in an effort to sell the rotary engine to Rolls Royce. Because of this trip he was caught up in the Blitz of London and later believed he was on the last civilian voyage of the Queen Mary out of England to the United States. After the United States was attacked at Pearl Harbor Cliff waited to be called up, but became impatient and in March 1942 went back to the Army as an enlisted man.

In May of 1942 Cliff married Deloris Emma Laws and they had three children. Cliff survived six plane crashes but lost his hearing from flying. He was in the hospital with appendicitis and because of this he was the only member of his group that survived the low level bombing attacks on Europe. Following his discharge from the Army Air Corps he went to Kinman Business College and earned his degree in accounting. He was licensed as an accountant in California and held many jobs including Chief Cost Accountant for Universal Studios.

Cliff's real love was writing and music. He had short stories published and has written several books and screen plays. He is also a composer who has written numerous pieces of music and lyrics.

On August 15, 1975 Cliff married Gloria Marlene Abrams and later he adopted her three children. Together they had two additional children.

The family moved to Texas in 1990, opened a real estate office and Cliff got his agent's license which he held until he was passed 90 years old.

Through the years, Cliff developed a firm testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the Restoration of the fullness of the Gospel and the Book of Mormon. He was a High Priest and held many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, including Elder's Quorum President, organist, Sunday School President, Home Teacher and Stake and Ward Missionary. He led a life of service to his family and to everyone around him. When asked how he wanted to be remembered, he said, "As a teacher. I have always tried to teach my family and those around me the things they need to know.

Cliff passed away on August 1, 2010 in McKinney, Texas with his family by his side. He is survived by his loving wife Gloria Hazelton, children Claudia Del Cochran (Charles), Michael Harry Hazelton (Bridget), Joel Bruce Hazelton (Terry), Gayle Denise Gonzalez, Monte David Hazelton (Patsy), Susannah Marie Robertson (Warren), 21 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by daughters Catherine Enos Hazelton and Stephanie Diane Hazelton, two brothers and his parents.

The family will receive friends at a visitation from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at Allen Family Funeral Options. A funeral service to celebrate and honor Cliff's life will be held Friday, August 6, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1414 W. Exchange, Allen, Texas 75002. He will be laid to rest at Fitzhugh Cemetery in Allen, Texas.