Clifford Leon "Lonnie" Lockwood

Clifford Leon “Lonnie” Lockwood was born in San Francisco on July 22, 1934 to Darley Mae Lee who was a dancer for Vaudeville and Clifford James Lockwood, who was a singer/entertainer on the radio. Lonnie grew up on Fillmore Street in the apartment building owned by his grandmother Mona Mae Lee. When Lonnie was nine years old he attended the San Clemente Military Academy where he was the captain of the football team.

At seventeen he enlisted in the United States Navy where he fought in the Korean War and was awarded the Bronze Star. He then served as part of the NATO forces in the blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis at the Bay of Pigs. During a tour in the Vietnam War he earned another Bronze Star and the Silver Star for acts of bravery. During his tour in Europe and after earning two and a half years of college credits he was promoted to Quarter Master Chief and served as the navigator on numerous ships and air crafter carriers. One of Lonnie’s most enjoyable experiences and greatest accomplishments while serving his country was traveling around the world…twice!

Lonnie spent the last three years of his twenty eight year naval career as an instructor at Iowa State University and helped establish the school’s very first navigation instructional program for NROTC recruits.

After retiring in 1978, Lonnie and his family relocated to Port Orchard, Washington and he began a twenty five year career as a welder in the US Naval Shipyard in Bremerton.

On October 31, 1986, Lonnie married the love of his life, Delores, and they spent the next twenty nine years side-by-side enjoying numerous activities such as working in their garden, camping, bowling or traveling the country in their RV. Some of Lonnie’s favorite places to visit were Nashville, Dollywood , Branson, MO or just about anywhere he could hear his favorite Country Western music. But Lonnie couldn’t pass up a chance to eat at any Cracker Barrel they came across no matter what state they were in!

Lonnie will always be remembered as a kind and happy man with a terrific sense of humor who would help anyone in need. He loved animals, especially his dogs Sadie and Misti and he was prone to saying “Love You.”

Lonnie will be greatly missed but never forgotten by his soulmate and best friend Delores, children Karen Twiss & Ed Makoviney, Sherry & Jim Sehmel, Kristi Deuer Thompson, Tony & Jennifer Deuer, Bob Thompson, Tony Sandefur, Terri & Darrin Buiso and his 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.