Clifford Albert Wilkes

Clifford A. Wilkes, 71, passed away suddenly in Smithville, TX on May 28, 2025.

A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be hosted by John Gilkison from 4:00 – 6:00 PM Sunday, June 29th at the Smithville Central School, 400 Gresham St.

Cliff, as he preferred, was born in Plainview, TX to Lewis O. Wilkes and Norma J. Wilkes on July 8, 1953. He attended school in Shallowater, TX until he moved to Phoenix, AZ where he finished his early education. Cliff graduated from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ where he studied computer sciences. He worked in the computer field at Garrett Aerospace, Allied Signal and Honeywell in Arizona then moved to Austin, TX where he worked at the University of Texas at Austin and IBM. Cliff pursued a myriad of hobbies, and many led him to pursue occupations that filled his soul including, but not limited to, writer, custom furniture builder, luthier, building restoration and all forms of woodwork. Cliff was also passionate about serving those less fortunate than he and donated his time and money to various causes. He volunteered at the Central Texas Food Bank in Austin for 11 years where he was a volunteer leader in the warehouse. Cliff also participated in the Austin Motorcyclists Toy Run consistently for many years. Some organizations he regularly contributed to were Doctors Without Borders, Oglala Lakota College, Nova Ukraine, and the World Wildlife Fund. As a final act of generosity, Cliff chose to be an organ donor, ensuring others might benefit from his life. Hiis gift will help more than seventy-five others enjoy a better, healthier life.

Cliff is preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his siblings; Reggie A. Wilkes, Jan E. Chapman, Vanessa W. Pinnell and Marilee A. Edel. He is also survived by a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families.

In lieu of flowers, and to honor Cliff, if you are able please donate to the Smithville Food Pantry or any charity of your choice.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Smithville community for their outpouring of love and support during this time, to John Gilkison for generously hosting the Celebration of Life at the schoolhouse where Cliff spent numerous hours weekly doing what he loved, and we especially want to express our gratitude to our cousin Kelly Barker who has been Cliff’s lifelong friend, supporter, sounding board, partner in crime and the closest thing to a brother that anyone could ever be.