Clifton was born in Feb. 1943 in Petersburg, Tennessee, Lincoln County. His family moved into Greene County, Bellbrook area in the summer of 1943. He attended the Bellbrook School from first grade through junior high school. His family moved to the Cedarville area and he graduated from the Cedar-Cliff School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia at the Personnel Accounting Machine installation. The installation maintained records for the personnel, installations, and ships assigned to the Atlantic Fleet.
Clifton, his wife and one daughter, moved into Xenia in the fall of 1968. (And they still live in the same house.) A daughter and son were born in Xenia, and all three graduated from the Xenia School system. Activities involved with were: Shawnee School, Indian Princess, Cub Scout pack leader, assisted with basketball, Wee Buc Football, and Bob Evans baseball. High school supported the marching band, Assisted with 4-H Club for Greene County Fair.
Clifton joined the Xenia Twp. Volunteer Fire Dept. in Feb. 1969. He held several officer positions, including Volunteer Chief. In 1972 he became a Special Deputy for the Greene County Sheriffs’ Office. From 1975 through 1979 he was a fulltime road deputy. In Jan. 1979 he was appointed as the fulltime Fire Chief for Xenia Twp. He retired in 2004 after 35 years of service.
During his years of serving Greene County, he has been involved with many organizations, helping to improve services to residents. While many changes have been made in equipment, procedures and training, the dedication and professionalism of personnel appears to have remained the same.