Clifford Stahl

Well done, good and faithful servant

Clifford Wayne Stahl was born February 20, 1940, in Dinuba, California to Zack and Annie Stahl. He attended the local elementary schools through the eighth grade and then went to Dinuba High School, where he graduated in 1958. He was a star athlete in football, basketball and track & field. After graduating from Dinuba High School, he went on to play football at Reedley College and then graduated from Fresno State University in 1962, with a degree in mathematics. He later received his Masters from Santa Clara University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Clifford met the love of his life, Bonnie Bergman of Kingsburg, in 1959 and they were married on June 29, 1963. He often called her the “prettiest girl in Kingsburg.” They started a family in 1967 with the birth of Jeffrey, Bradley (‘69) and Steven (‘76).

Clifford worked for over 40 years as a teacher at Sanger High School, Redwood High School, and College of the Sequoias. He had the ability to take difficult math concepts and make them easy to learn and understand. His wit and dry sense of humor kept the classes lively, and he was a favorite teacher of many students. He also helped his brother Tom coach "C" football and track and field for a number of years.

Clifford was raised by godly Christian parents who modeled their faith for him. He was the youngest of six children, with whom he was close to all of his life. These six siblings would often gather for family and holiday events with their extended families, as they all enjoyed spending time together and reminiscing about their growing up years. Their children loved hearing stories around the campfire on Stahl family camping trips. Clifford grew up in the Mennonite church in Dinuba and from 1967 until his death was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Visalia (Gateway). He was an active member in his Sunday School class and involved with his three boys’ growing-up years in church discipleship programs.

Besides seeing his boys come to follow Jesus, one of Clifford‘s greatest joys was seeing his boys follow in his footsteps of playing sports in their elementary through high school years. He purposely bought a larger lot with his first (and only) home so he could provide a place for his boys to play sports. His backyard was affectionally called Stahl Stadium, as all the neighborhood kids gathered to play football, baseball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, and basketball. Many a summer evening was spent listening to Dodger games announced by Vin Scully while dad pitched to his boys in the batting cage. He enjoyed doing yard work, realizing he was not cultivating trees and grass, but rather a place where his family could be cultivated.

Clifford is preceded in death by his wife Bonnie of 61 years, and three of his siblings. He is survived by his three sons Jeff, Brad (Carie), and Steven (Sarah), and sister Violet and brother Tom. He loved nothing more than spending time with his family, especially his 10 grandchildren – Michaela (Hunter), Payton, Kendall, Brianna (Dalton), Caleb, Emma (Preston), Megan, Kate, Zack, Addie, and great granddaughter Arabella. Some highlights of time spent with family include trips to the East Coast, Hawaii, Aptos, Lake Tahoe, and spending time in his backyard for family gatherings. As recently as this July in Lake Tahoe, Gramps gathered all of his grandchildren around him, gave them an update of his written memoirs, and told them that he wanted to make sure they were all followers of Jesus so they could spend eternity with him in Heaven. As with our beloved Grammy, all of Gramps’ family have been impacted by his love and devoted kindness.

A Memorial Service will be held at Gateway Church of Visalia on Saturday, November 30th at 10 AM in the small auditorium followed by light refreshments in the Cafe. Services in care of Hadley Marcom Funeral Chapel. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "In Memory of Clifford Stahl" to Gateway Church of Visalia, 1100 S. Sowell St., Visalia, CA 93277.