Clifton Cleo Looney
Clifton Cleo Looney
Clifton Cleo Looney, longtime resident of Polson, passed away Jan. 21 after a recent illness.
Cleo, as he was known to family and friends back home, was born Oct. 10 1926 in the rural community of Baker Den, near the township of Warm Springs, Randolph County, Arkansas.
He is survived by former spouse Merlene Osborne-Looney of Wynne, Ark; sisters Elwanda Riley of Kirksey, KY, and Bonnie Doran of Pocahontas, Ark; daughters Terry Looney-Smith of San Jacinto, Calif, and Debbie Perron of Bauxite, Ark; sons Steve Looney of Port Saint Lucie, Fla., Keith Looney of Wynne, Ark, and Jason Looney of Wynne, Ark; twelve grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and extended family, friends and acquaintances.
Cleo was preceded in death by his parents Jason Franklin Looney and Ida Bell Johnson-Looney; first spouse Clara Audean Coe-Looney; sisters, Notra Looney, Thelma Hunter and Juanita Nacsin; and brothers, Truman Looney, Robert Looney and Ulysses Looney.
His career included farming, ranching, manufacturing and transportation. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and baseball - especially the St. Louis Cardinals. He was also a charter member of the historic Shepherd Hills chapter of Case Knife Collectors.
He descended from a long line of pioneers who settled in America as early as 1720, fought in the Revolutionary War, and explored the frontier - among them his great-great-grandfather William Looney, one of the first settlers on Eleven Point River in northeast Arkansas as early as 1802.
That rugged spirit served him well during his U.S. Army service in WW II, and later in his journeys as an independent trucker, during which he traveled extensively across the highways and byways of this great land that he so dearly loved.
Cleo often said Eleven Point River was in his blood.
Beloved son, brother, husband, father, friend and soldier - you will be missed. Cross the river in peace.
He will be buried at New Home Church Cemetery, Gatewood, Ripley County, Missouri.
Arrangements are under the direction of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory. (Formerly Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory).