Clifton Clemens marks centennial birthday

More than 100 family members and friends gathered on Saturday, March 4, for a 100th birthday party to honor one of Sisters’ most influential citizens: Clifton “Cliff” Clemens.

Those attending welcomed Clemens with applause as he entered the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Sisters. He rode in a wheelchair pushed by his son David, but was quick to recognize and greet well wishers with a handshake and a smile.

Clemens blew out a candle on one of three birthday cakes in a room festooned with colorful balloons. A large bulletin board contained dozens of photos taken of the honoree during the past 100 years. Scrapbooks of newspaper articles and many awards and plaques also were on display.

As attendees enjoyed cake and coffee, Clemens sat at the front of the room under three large balloons proclaiming “100.” Throughout the two-hour celebration, guests approached him to visit and to recall how their lives have intertwined.

Several generations of family members attended the event, but some were delayed at the San Francisco airport, according to David Clemens.

Clemens moved to Sisters from California in 1973, when he purchased and operated the Sisters Airport. Several years ago, he recalled his first airplane landing at Sisters.

“I was so impressed with the scenery of the area that I made the decision to relocate here,” he said.

He was active in many local volunteer and service organizations, serving on the Sisters School Board for 13 years and also as a member of the Sisters Planning Commission. He was the charter president of the Kiwanis Club of Sisters. In 1982, the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce honored him with the Citizen of the Year award. Clemens also served on the board of directors of the Deschutes County Education Service District.

Last November, the City of Sisters honored Clemens by naming a new park the Cliff Clemens Park.

Clemen’s actual birthday was March 6. On that day, another celebration was held at the Bend Villa Court where he now resides.