Clifford Eugene Clendenon passed away Jan. 28 in Indianapolis, Ind.

He was born to the late Harlie and Martha (Rigsby) Clendenon on Nov. 11, 1926 near the Grundy-Warren County line in the low mountains of the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee, and as a teen moved to nearby McMinnville.

During World War II he served as a military policeman in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. In 1950, Cliff married Faye Sanders of McMinnville and they moved to Indianapolis. Faye passed away in 1997.

Cliff retired in 1988 after 38 years as a maintenance mechanic at RCA in Indianapolis. Cliff had a lifelong love of music and was best known for his self-taught stylings on the steel guitar. He performed with many bands over the years, including The Rhythm Buddies, Chuck’s Variety Five, The Sound of Rhythm, Wings, and performed on Bob Hardy’s Hayloft Frolic on WTTV. Cliff belonged to the Indy Steel Guitar Club and enjoyed jam sessions throughout retirement.

Cliff is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Sherry Clendenon of Indianapolis, Ind.; daughter, C.J. Clendenon of Lansing, Mich.; and four siblings in Tennessee, Stanley Clendenon, Marilyn Ayers, Janie Mayberry, and Judy Cox.

Siblings Sam Hale and Elsie Clendenon preceded him in death.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at High’s Chapel with Tony Lawrence and Stanley Clendenon officiating. Burial will follow at Salem Cemetery with military honors administered by VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173. Visitation will be from noon until the time of service Saturday at High’s. Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.