Obituary
Clifford Bernie Earl, born on August 9, 1956,
passed away on October 15, 2025, at the age of 69.
Clifford, also known as Bernie, was born in
Bismarck, ND and lived in Fort Yates, ND until the age of 5 when his beloved
parents, Dorothy and Clayton Earl, moved their family to Warm Springs, OR in
1961. Cliff lived at the Warm Springs Indian Reservation during his childhood
years until moving to Madras, OR in 1974. After graduating from Madras High
School in 1974, Cliff attended OSU for a year before moving back to Warm
Springs to work in the logging industry. While in Warm Springs, Cliff had built
lifelong connections and lasting memories with many in the community. Eventually,
Clifford left Central Oregon and moved to Scappoose, OR in 1988 to be closer to
family members and eventually moved to Columbia City, OR before settling in
Portland, OR, where he remained until God called him home.
Clifford was a truly kind and loving man with
a heart of gold. His sense of humor and joyful spirit could light up any room,
and he had a gift for making everyone around him laugh. To this day, we still
sing his unforgettable “Tillamook Cheese” song — a tune he created after a high
school basketball game in Tillamook that became one of his many playful
trademarks. Cliff never spoke ill of anyone and welcomed people exactly as they
were. A man of deep faith, Clifford embodied compassion and understanding, always
offering empathy and insight to those fortunate enough to know him.
There are a few things that he loved dearly -
sports, sunflower seeds, cooking/baking, long walks, and his family (especially
his children and grandchildren).
In Cliff’s youth, and throughout high school,
Cliff was an avid athlete and played football, basketball, and baseball. He was
on the MHS basketball team that made it to the State Championship game against
Scappoose in 1974. For many years, he could be found shooting hoops with
friends at the campus basketball court in Warm Springs which led him to play in
Native American basketball tournaments.
Even though he was not Native American, he was accepted and nicknamed
“Pink Elk;” a name fondly remembered by many who played alongside him as well
as those in the community of Warm Springs.
Clifford spent many years working in the
logging industry in Warm Springs where he took pride in his work and his
connection to the land became a lifelong devotion.
He also had a love for music; especially
R&B and Jazz. He often listened to groups such as Santana, Earth Wind and
Fire, Jimmy Hendricks, The Doors, Red Bone, Kool and the Gang, and Taj Mahal.
He also enjoyed attending the Blues Festival in Portland every year.
The biggest connection Cliff has always had is
that of family. He was so well loved by
those that knew him. Because of his
resilient spirit, good humor, and the warmth he brought to everyone around him,
Cliff acquired a very large family over the years, which included those related
to him, in-laws, and those he shared strong bonds with and were considered part
of his inner circle. He will be deeply missed by all.
Cliff is preceded in death by his mother,
Dorothy Knox-Earl, his father, Clayton Clifford Earl, his brother, Alfred Earl,
and sister, Myra Gourley. He is survived
by his three daughters, Yvonne Iverson, Elizabeth Minthorn, and Sophie Earl;
grandchildren Kaliyah Iverson, Carver Kennedy, Ezekiel Brock and Dorothy Brock;
brother Patrick Earl; sisters Barb Bowles and Rose Galloway; nieces Rachelle
McClure, Jessica Gomez, Josie Gager, Kaelyn Bockman and Lindsey Earl.
To sign the online guest book or to send a
condolence to the family, please go to www.sandyfuneralhome.com.