Clifford J Guffey

Clifford Joe Guffey passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the age of 76.

Cliff was born on September 29, 1949, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to Joseph and Frankie Guffey. As the son of a U.S. Navy fighter pilot, Cliff experienced a childhood shaped by service and adventure. He grew up in Italy and Hawaii before graduating from Harrah High School in 1967.

Cliff proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam era. He carried his patriotism with him throughout his life, believing deeply in honoring the freedoms he defended and making it a priority to pass that appreciation on to his family. He took his grandsons to Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Disneyland, and Disney World, ensuring they understood both the beauty of the nation and the sacrifices made for it.

One of the greatest blessings of Cliff's life began with a simple act of kindness. Donna once stopped to pick up a hitchhiker on the side of the road - that hitchhiker was Cliff. While he was serving overseas in Vietnam, they wrote letters back and forth and upon his return from Vietnam and after a eight-month courtship, they were married on August 9, 1970, in Baytown, Texas. Their marriage was built on devotion, faith, laughter, and unwavering commitment.

Cliff served in many leadership roles within the American Postal Workers Union. He was unwavering in his commitment to protecting workers' rights, advocating tirelessly to ensure employees were treated fairly and compensated justly. Helping working families provide for their loved ones with dignity and pride was deeply important to him. One of his greatest challenges was walking alongside the survivors and families affected by the Edmond Post Office tragedy. These positions led his family to a move to Washington DC,where he loved exploring all the Smithsonian Museums, the Library of Congress and the National Cathedral. Every Veteran's Day, he visited the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial to honor his brothers. He loved hosting friends and family, serving as tour guides through historic sites and landmarks.

He later retired as the President of the APWU and moved with Donna to Grand Lake in Oklahoma. They made cherished memories with their grandsons at their home on Monkey Island at Grand Lake, before moving to Tulsa in 2024.

The move to Oklahoma brought them closer to their girls and their families and opened new opportunities for service. Cliff served passionately with the DAV, supporting disabled veterans. As an Elder and treasurer at Lake Center Baptist Church, he served faithfully in many capacities and found great joy in serving his Church family.

Cliff was a loving husband, a proud and devoted "Sir Sir," to his grandsons and a true girl dad. He rarely told his daughters "no" and was their constant protector and defender. He led with empathy and compassion, especially toward the less fortunate. It was not uncommon for him to quietly pay for someone else's dinner or lend a helping hand without seeking recognition.

He had a sharp sense of humor and a gift for making others laugh. Faith was steady in his life and reflected in how he treated others. Over the years, he worshiped at Harrah First Baptist, Lake Center Baptist, and Canyon Road Baptist Church.

Cliff loved to travel. He and Donna visited every state in the U.S. - many of them multiple times.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Donna Guffey of Tulsa, OK; his daughters, Carrie and Matt Benjamin of Tulsa,OK; Cissie and Derek Kilgo of Bentonville, AR; his grandsons, Matthew Benjamin of Tulsa, OK; Justin Kilgo of Seattle, WA; Grant Benjamin of Naples, FL; and Brayden Kilgo of Fayetteville, AR; his sister, Linda Bohorquez; and many special nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his favorite granddaughter, Grace Benjamin.

Cliff will be remembered for his patriotism, compassion, steady faith, protective spirit, and the laughter he brought to those around him. His legacy lives on through the family he loved fiercely and the many lives he quietly touched.

A memorial service to honor his life will be held, 2pm on Saturday March 7, 2026 at Canyon Road Baptist Church, 8550 S. 49th W AVE., Tulsa, OK 74131.

Arrangements are entrusted to Simplicity Burial & Oklahoma Cremation Centers, 1112 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK 74119. Family and friends may leave kind words of comfort, share special memories, and offer condolences online at www.simplicityok.com