Clifford “Lefty” Ray Towler, age 86, of Sandoval formerly from Patoka, passed away on Sunday, January 03, 2021 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia. He was a life-long resident of Patoka until moving to Sandoval two years ago; He attended Patoka High School until it burned and then Sandoval High School. From High School he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1951 and joined the 60th Infantry Division later transferring to the 1st PL 377th Medical Company. He was stationed at numerous bases over his 20 year career. He was stationed in Germany from 1951 to 1954 and again from 1956 to 1959. He was later stationed in Korea from 1963 to 1964. And in 1968 he was sent to serve a tour in the Vietnam conflict where he worked in a field hospital. There he was awarded a Bronze Star for his service. After returning from Vietnam, in 1969, he was stationed at Ft Bragg N.C. until his retirement in 1971. After retiring from the military, he began working for Operating Engineers local 520 and continued working on various construction projects for 23 years until retiring in 1994. After retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling and visiting family, and enjoyed spending time with all of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed mushroom hunting and is most remembered driving through the countryside looking for coyotes to hunt. He was also a 35 plus year member of the Masonic Lodge and Shriners for which he sold countless raffle tickets and was very active.
A visitation for Clifford Ray Towler will be held Saturday, January 9, 2021, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Patoka Christian Church in Patoka, for those in attendance please wear a mask and social distance. Masonic Rites will be held by the 6th Southern District Masonic Lodge with a Shriners walk through to follow. A private Celebration of Life Service will follow with Dennis Day and Carl Gerrish officiating. Burial will follow at Magassi Cemetery in Rural Patoka with full Military Honors being accorded at the gravesite by the Patoka American Legion Post 543. The family has requested for Memorial Donations to be made to Shriners Hospital, Sandoval or Patoka Fire Departments, or to the donor’s choice and will be accepted at Day Macz Funeral Home in Patoka who is honored to be of service to the Towler Family. Online condolences and memories of Clifford may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
He married Mildred Marie (Beaty) Towler in Texas on December 15, 1955 in Oglesby Texas, and she survives in Sandoval. In addition to his wife of 65 years, also left to mourn his passing are his son, Douglas and wife Judi; siblings, Glenn D. Towler, Betty Sanders, and sister-in-law Nettie Towler all of Patoka; sisters-in-laws, Eloise Gustin of Waco Texas, Janice McCorkle of McGregor, Texas and W.L. (Buck) Beaty of Oglesby Texas. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Chad Towler and wife Ashley, Travis Towler and wife Jo, Chris Brooks and wife Tillie, Scott Towler and wife Sheilia; nine great-grandchildren, Fred Towler, Adrian Towler, Aubryanna Towler, Josh Brooks, Cody Brooks, Dylan Brooks, Tyler Brooks, Levi Towler and Gabriella Towler; and many nieces and nephews.
Clifford was born January 28, 1934, in Patoka, the son of Frederick and Thelma Virden (Brumfield) Towler. He was preceded in death by his two sons, Frederick C. Towler and David D. Towler, both his parents, Frederick and Thelma Towler; brother, Tom Towler, sister, Pauline (Towler) and husband Delbert Dale; sisters and brothers-in-law, Dorothy and William Cox, Frieda and Curtis Holly, Joe and Mary Beaty, and C.W. and Wanda Beaty.
