Clifford Dewitt Stearns

Clifford "Cliff" Dewitt Stearns Ill of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away on May 9, 2023, at the age of 76, after 3 long years of fighting a rare auto-immune disease, VEXAS. He was born on August 5, 1946, in Clayton, Ohio to Rev. Clifford and Verna Stearns. As a preacher's son, he moved to various towns in Ohio, finally settling in Middleton, Ohio when Cliff was in Jr. High School. He met his sweetheart and future wife, Saundra "Sandy" Hughes at the age of 15 and they began dating. He graduated from Middletown High School in 1964. He received his bachelor's degree in chemistry, a minor in biology from Otterbein College in 1968 and later he received his master’s degree in Oklahoma. He was recruited by Phillips Petroleum Company to work in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and joined the Army National Guard. In July 1969, he married Sandy and moved her to Oklahoma. It was then that they began their journey of being transferred all over the world with Phillips, landing in such places as Stavanger, Norway; Teeside, England; Borger, Texas (multiple times); Bartlesville, Oklahoma (multiple times); and Guayama, Puerto Rico. They finally retired in 1999 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma after a 35-year career. Cliff had a passion for dogs, boats, remote control airplanes, motorcycles, sports cars and building and selling guns. This passion was evidenced by numerous things owned and enjoyed throughout the years. But the most important thing Cliff is known for is his fierce love of Jesus and his family. From 1977 when Cliff and Sandy first received their calling to work with children and youth, they have spent many years in service to others. It began with helping teach Sunday School and helping with the youth at First United Methodist Church of Borger and then FUMC Bartlesville. They then poured into staff and children's lives through their daughter's school, Montessori Academy. They were involved in multiple capacities with the Green Country Chrysalis and Walk to Emmas movement for many years. Then when On the Rock Ministries of Bartlesville began, both Cliff and Sandy were involved in various facets: bus driver, program support, arts and crafts, helping with archery, being devoted board members and later Cliff was the Chairman of the Board. But above all, both Cliff and Sandy loved pouring into the lives staff members, teens and frankly anyone they came in contact with. Hundreds of lives have been influenced by Cliff and Sandy and he will be sorely missed. Cliff is survived by his wife; Sandy, children; Jennifer (Ryan) Hodgkins and Jonathan Stearns, grandchildren; Gage, Caleb, Arianna and Isabella Gonzalez, Chloe Hodgkins, Elyas and Aya Stearns, sister; Donna Shriner. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers; Clifford Dewitt Jr., Bill Stearns. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday May 13th at 2pm at Grace Community Church, 1500 SE King Dr., Bartlesville, OK 74006. Everyone who knows Cliff or Sandy is invited to attend. Please dress casually in bright colors and come with a great memory to share.

Clifford Dewitt Stearns

August 5, 1946 - May 9, 2023