Birth date: Sep 28, 1924 Death date: Apr 15, 2016
Buel J. Clifton of Mount Dora, Florida passed away on Friday, April 15, 2016 at the age of 91 years. He was born in Miller Grove, Texas. Buel served his country in the US Navy in World War II. After his military service, he marrie Read Obituary
We are truly sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Joe & Sherry Brewer
Buel and Charlotte enjoyed their retirement years in Texas, particularly in the hunting lodge they had built and developed. But Buel's oncoming illness began to become evident. They eventually moved to a retirement community in Mount Dora FL to be near some of their family. It happens that Freda and I are snowbirds from Illinois that spend the winter months in Mount Dora. While we got along fine when we were working, I wouldn't say we were friends. But after living in the same town for the past eight years or so, and visiting with each other a couple of times a year, I am proud to say we did become friends. Buel and Charlotte were both very charming people and Freda and I very much enjoyed their company. Buel and I enjoyed reminiscing about the many Household people we had worked with. We enjoyed many dinners together at Buel's favorite restaurant, Le Bistro at Waterman Village, where Buel always recommended the Lobster Bisque, and it never failed to please.
Buel was a tough but fair executive during working hours, and a very personable and charming man after hours and after retirement. He will be missed.
Stories from people that worked with Buel.
WHEN WE WERE EXPERIMENTING WITH FRESNO CENTRAL, BUEL AND SOME OF HIS ASSISTANTS WERE IN FOR A REVIEW. WE HAD ONE TELEPHONE OPERATOR ANSWERING THE PHONE IN FRESNO FOR ALL 13 OFFICES, BOTH ON THE COLLECTION AND LENDING SIDE. BUEL WATCHED HER AND THE SERVICE FOR AWHILE. (I HAD ALREADY ASKED FOR A 2ND OPERATOR). HE SAID WE MUST GET RID OF HER AND GET SOMEONE MORE EFFICIENT. I ALREADY HAD SAT IN AND IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. WE WENT TO LUNCH AND I ASKED BUEL JUST TO SIT IN FOR A BIT. HE DID, AND SUGGESTED WE GET A 2ND OPERATOR! TOUGH, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE. WE HAD A GOOD RELATIONSHIP.
GERALD LANE
I was so sorry to hear of his passing.
I started with HFC in 1964. Mr. Clifton is the one that made the company such a great company.
My wife and I remember the day he took us to lunch, he was so cordial, and down to earth.
He was always fair, but could be stern when he needed to be.
He always had a twinkle in his eye and was a great leader.
When he asked you a question, he already knew the answer, so you could not pull the wool over his eyes.
He made our years with HFC a wonderful experience.
Mike Morton
Sorry to hear about Buel. While never a close friend, we got along well. He was a pretty sharp guy--I always admired the way he could listen to Bill Hunckler elaborate with two or three paragraphs --or more --then Buel would summarize the subject taking only one or two sentences. He was a sharp poker player--liked to "Double Down" -- and he was good at it too -- and kind of typical of Buel on the golf course.
Karl Fruecht
I only met Mr. Clifton once, but I thought I would share my story as it was
etched in my mind. Bob Elliott asked me to attend the HFC retiree function
on his behalf, it must have been about 20 years ago. I remember sitting
next to a charming man and his wife. Mr. Clifton just adored his wife. They
were like a couple of school kids. When I returned to Chicago, I said to
Bob I met the nicest man when I was at the retiree function. Bob asked who
I was referring too, I said Buel Clifton. He was engaging and kind. Bob
said to me, well Buel was always tough at work, but he was known to have a
kind heart.
Kathy Madison Ed. note: Kathy is now CEO of HSBC Finance Corp. (Household Finance).
It would be impossible to pick a single memory to share about my Dad......Buel Clifton was outdoor chores on Saturday and church on Sunday, hard work, unwavering values and genuine humility. A kiss for Mom, and conversation over a single cocktail, came after every work day before anything else. And then there are the things I don't remember.....I don't remember ever hearing him use profanity--ever. I don't remember babysitters, dinner without him no matter how late he worked or a single broken promise. He never stopped supporting his children, holding Mom's hand as he fell asleep, lighting up at the sight of a new great-grand baby. He never stopped being Buel Clifton, the best man I know, his entire life...the heart remembers what the mind forgets. I love you Dad and am so grateful to be Buel Clifton's daughter.
My father always told me that anything worth having was worth working for and he followed it up with perfect examples. There were no free rides with Buel Clifton; if you wanted it he was willing to help you get it, matching dollar for dollar. When I wanted so desperately to go to horse camp I saved for the cost of one week and he gave me the second one. Then he threw in the cost of the train ride just because he was so proud to send me.
My most remarkable memory of dad was when I saved for 18 months to buy my first horse for $350. I found a place to board him and also found a man willing to transport him from Front Royal, Va to Bethesda, Md. I did all this before I went to my dad and told him I had it all set up. That he took a day off work when he was perfectly healthy to travel with me and this man to pick up my first horse left me totally dumbfounded. Anyone could count on one hand the number of days Buel Clifton missed work over his lifetime; unless he had a temp over 100 degrees he went in. It was beyond anything I even contemplated. Now that I am older, I am no longer amazed. He would do anything for us if we were willing to do for ourselves.
He taught us all loyalty, what it means to give your word, honesty, ethics and not to say anything if you couldn't say something nice (I didn't say I learned it all; just that he taught us!) He was a giant of principles and lived by them. I don't know a single time he wavered. He was committed to everything he took on. He worked hard and played hard and always gave his best, which was a hell of a lot.
He was my hero. I already miss you so much, dad. Thank you for all you taught us.
