Clifton Stutes

Clifton J. Stutes, 88, of Orange, died Wednesday, July 29.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Chaplain Marv Howland. Military Honors will be provided by the U.S. Navy. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Mr. Stutes was born in Rayne, La., April 6, 1927. He was a successful, self-made man. During WWII, he lied about his age so he could join the U.S. Navy. He served during WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. During his Navy service, he was stationed in Okinawa and then Bikini Atoll during the testing of the Atomic Bomb. He then served in Italy, Spain and France, retiring after 22 years of service with the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Fleet Reserve Association. He participated in the WWII Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. and was a Grand Marshall of the Pearl Harbor Parade in Honolulu, Hi., in 2012.

Following his military career, he worked for and retired from the Polaroid Corporation in Massachusetts.

Mr. Stutes is survived by his wife, Donna Peterson Stutes; daughter, Maj. Donna Peterson; sons, William Peterson and his wife, Sara, Richard Peterson, all of Orange and Bernard Stutes, of Phoenix, Az.

The family asks that potted plants be sent in lieu of fresh cut flowers. For those who would prefer, memorials may be directed to VFW Post 9854, P.O. Box 415, Vinton, Louisiana 70668