Clifford Ray Lones, a pastor, died March 25. He was 94.
Clifford trusted Christ as his Savior as a teenager through the influence of his best friend, Stanley Shroyer. After high school, Clifford became a draftsman, but desiring to study the Bible, he enrolled at Moody Bible Institute. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute and obtained a BA from Cedarville University and an MMin from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.
Clifford served in full-time ministry for four decades, pastoring six churches in Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, and Delaware. Several of the young people in his churches went on to become missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders, including Ken and Sharon Floyd. Ken is pastor of leadership development at Grace Baptist Church, Canton, Ohio. Clifford “was a key influence in our lives as God was leading us as a couple towards pastoral ministry,” Ken says.
Clifford also used his drafting background to build nine homes, a church, and a Christian school and facilitated the remodeling of several churches.
Clifford was preceded in death by his wife, Janet; a daughter, Rachel; and three grandchildren.
He is survived by five children, Deborah Gowell, Stephen (Barb) Lones, Mark Lones, Timothy (Tina) Lones, and Daniel (Dee) Lones; 12 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.
