Lawrence William Clifford was born August 8, 1950 in Pine Ridge, South Dakota to La Verne Clifford and Cecilia (Patton) Clifford.  Larry grew up on the Pine Ridge Reservation. He attended school at Holy Rosary Mission and graduated from there. He spent many summers with his Grandpa Slim George as a ranch hand. He enjoyed horseback riding and bull riding.

Larry proudly served in the United States Navy from 1970-1971. He was stationed in Corpus Christi Texas at the Naval Air Station.  He was trained as an airman and worked on the flight line as a plane captain. He was a member of company VT-31.

Larry's occupations through the years included brick laying, janitorial and central supply duties for the IHS Aberdeen Area. Larry also volunteered as a member of the New Underwood Ambulance Service. Additionally, he volunteered his time as a DAV driver transporting veterans to their appointments. Furthermore, Larry taught local youth children Catholic Catechism (CCD) classes in New Underwood. Larry was a gifted artist who made awesome framed pictures made out of porcupine quills. He also worked with deer antlers making finger rings and decorative crosses. In his free time, Larry enjoyed many activities such as cooking for his family and gardening on family land.  Additionally, he enjoyed metal detecting, rock hunting, and walking on the country roads near New Underwood with his dog Sasha a black lab. Larry also enjoyed working on vehicles specifically his old 1970 Chevrolet pick up.  Larry loved listening to rock music while doing his leisurely activities.  His favorite television programs were movies, professional boxing, and professional bull riding. The thing most important to Larry was his family. He was a devoted husband and father. His favorite daily saying to us was "Much Love."

Larry is survived by his childhood sweetheart and life partner Ellen "Sissy" Cook-Clifford and sons Wesley and Colton Clifford. Larry is also survived by his brothers: Leroy (Wanda) Clifford, La Verne (Jodi) Clifford, Steve Clifford, and sister Laura Graham; brother in law Robert (Daphne) Cook, Darrell (Sandi) Cook and Wayne Orrell, and sister in law Jeanie (Terry) Ashley; and nieces Mary Beth Clifford, Savannah Clifford, Jenny Kohler, Lisa Peniska, Lisa Tompkins, and Jessie Ashley.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents La Verne Clifford and Cecilia Clifford; brother Ronnie Steve and sister Lavonne Peniska; sister in law Carol Orrell, brother in law Mickey Cook, and Auntie Dorothy Kocer.  Dad, we miss you and love you. Thank you for being so devoted to us. "Much Love" and as you always told us you were "Our Hero".

Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 am Friday, February 24 at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, 221 Knollwood Drive. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am.

Burial will be held at 1:00 pm at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with Full Military Honors.

At the request of the family, masks and social distancing will be mandatory at all events.

Arrangements with Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.