FIRST SERGEANT CLIFTON LEROY BOWERS, (RETIRED ARMY) , passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2022, in Leesville, Louisiana.  He was a resident of Deridder, Louisiana.  Sgt. Bowers was born on June 1, 1945, in Monroe, Louisiana to the late Letha Mae Carter Bowers and O.C. Bowers.  He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and was a member of New Hope CME Church in Deridder, LA.  Upon completing High School, Clifton enlisted in the United States Army.  During his enlistment, he served in the Vietnam Conflict, completed several overseas deployments, earned the rank of E-8, and retired as First Sergeant.  Some of his duties with the U.S. Army included, First Sergeant 3rd U.S. Infantry in Germany, Platoon Sergeant 3rd U.S Infantry in Germany, Infantry Squad Leader 5th Mech. Infantry at Fort Polk, LA, Team Leader 1/61st Infantry at Fort Polk, LA, and Correctional Supervisor at the Fort Polk Correctional Facility. Some of his service awards and medals are the Army Commendation Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal Silver, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal (with 3 Bronze Service Stars), the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge.

After retiring from the Army, Clifton had many careers and hobbies that he enjoyed such as attending church, watching westerns, fishing, cooking, gardening and carpentry work.  The hobbies that he reflected on most often were attending barber college and earning a degree as a Master Barber and coaching the ladies summer baseball team.  He opened a barber shop in DeRidder and was known throughout all the neighborhoods as "Mr. Cliff".  Clifton was also a member of Golden Sheaf Masonic Lodge #104.

Those family members that have gone Home before him are his parents and grandparents; a sister, Colleen Bowers; two brothers, Archie Joe Bowers and Clinton Bowers.

Those left with precious memories are his loving and devoted wife, Cheryl Crockett Bowers; one sister, Robbie Bowers Hopkins; one brother-in-law, James D. Hopkins; two daughters from previous marriages, Khristina Bowers Johnson and Gabryelle Bowers Ashworth; one grandson, Kenias St. Romain; a host of other relatives and friends.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11am on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at New Hope Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 810 Ollie St, Deridder, LA 70634.  Reverend Patrick D. Lewis is the Pastor and Minister Jackie L. McClain will provide the Eulogy.  Visiting with family and friends will be in the church from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.  Interment will be at 10am on Monday, December 19, 2022, in the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Leesville, LA under the direction of Semien-Lewis Mortuary of Jennings, LA.  Full Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Army.