Clifford Patrick Marion aka BIG POPPA CLIFF died of natural causes on December 30th, 2024, at 5:44 pm in Helena Mt. He was 64 years young. Clifford was known as the short man telling (TALL TALES) to get a rise out of anyone who would be gullible enough to listen. He had a sense of humor about him always making everyone laugh with the biggest grin on their face.
Clifford Marion was born May 4th, 1960, in Dunseith, ND to Donald and Delsy Marion he was the 4th of 5 children. He is an enrolled member of the Band of Chippewa Indians on the Turtle Mountain Reservation. Clifford grew up in Toston MT on the Cazier’s ranch. He went to school in Crow Creek up until the 8th grade. After school, he worked on the Cazier ranch with his father Donald Marion.
Clifford married his first wife, Virginia Graham on July 17, 1982, in Townsend, MT. Their first child, Delsey, was born in September of 1986. Their second child, Ashlie, was born in October of 1988. Their third child, Brandon, was born in February of 1990. Their fourth child, Krista, was born in February of 1992. During his children’s younger years, he worked at the potato farm, the post and pole, and many other odd jobs in Townsend, MT. Clifford and Virginia divorced in 1996.
Clifford moved to Helena in 1996 and began working at Helena Industries. While working there he met Sandy Knight. Him and Sandy were married in October of 2003 in Helena, MT. Clifford and Sandy moved to Boulder, MT in 2004. Their first child together, Brooklin, was born in November of 2004. Their second child, Keyanna, was born in June of 2008. Their third child, Patrick, was born in July of 2009. Their fourth child, Jackson, was born in May of 2010. Their fifth child, Zerba, was born in May of 2011. Clifford was employed at the Boulder Town Pump for 10 years. He made many friends and enjoyed his job very much. Due to health issues, Clifford retired in 2019.
Clifford and Sandy moved backed to Helena in 2023. He wanted to be closer to all his children, grandchildren, family and friends.
He loved camping, barbecuing, being outdoors, and tanning while enjoying his sun brewed tea. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his close friends in Townsend. Clifford really enjoyed playing pool as well. He was on a few pool leagues while he resided in Townsend.
He was a huge sports fan, and he enjoyed watching football, baseball, and basketball. His favorite teams included, the San Francisco 49ers, the LA Dodgers, and the Golden State Warriors. Clifford was also a huge fan of professional wrestling, WWE. He was very excited to purchase the WWE Network package to watch all his favorite pay per view shows. He really enjoyed getting with family and friends to play poker. The poker games were always competitive, but they were full of laughter and fun. He also enjoyed playing cribbage and rummy with his family. He was so competitive he would try to sneakily cheat at card games for his amusement. It was all in good fun. (HE LOVED TO CHEAT)!!! HAHA
Clifford gained his angel wings surrounded by his wife, children and family he was born at sunrise on 5-4-1960 passed at sunset on 12-30-2024.
Clifford is preceded in death by his mother Delsy Monica Marion, his father Donald Edward Marion, his stepmother Gladys Marion, his sister Beverly Ann Pellen, his sister Vicki Ann Ledesma, and his youngest sister Sarah Jane Stone. And many other family members.
Clifford is survived by his wife Sandy Marion; Daughters Delsey (Jared) Dickert, Ashlie, Krista, Brooklin, and Keyanna of Helena MT. His Sons Brandon, Duffey, Patrick, Jackson, Zerba, and Smokey of Helena MT. His Brother Richard (Dorothy) Marion of East Helena, MT and former Wife Virginia Marion of Helena MT. He is also survived by his 9 Grandchildren. And numerous Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins.
Clifford was a Son, a Brother, an Uncle, a Husband, a Father, a Grandfather, and a Great Uncle.
He will be deeply missed by many.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Hardwood and his nursing staff at St. Peter’s ICU as well as all the First Responders. And his home health staff at Benefis.
Have a Blessed Day. ~Clifford
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
1:00 pm
Friday January 10, 2025
4-H Building
1.5 Miles East on Highway 12
Townsend, MT 59644
Graveside Service
Following Celebration of Life
Friday January 10, 2025
Deep Creek Cemetery
Deep Creek Road
Townsend, MT 59644
Reception
Following Graveside Service
Friday January 10, 2025
4-H Building
1.5 Miles East on Highway 12
Townsend, MT 59644
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
1:00 pm
Friday January 10, 2025
4-H Building
1.5 Miles East on Highway 12
Townsend, MT 59644
Graveside Service
Following Celebration of Life
Friday January 10, 2025
Deep Creek Cemetery
Deep Creek Road
Townsend, MT 59644
Reception
Following Graveside Service
Friday January 10, 2025
4-H Building
1.5 Miles East on Highway 12
Townsend, MT 59644
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Sandy Marion says
Clifford you will always be a part of my life ,and you were a good father to all of the kids , would always give you his last dollar , he loved his companion dog Smokey , he would tell smokey that he will be home, he walk in the door and smokey would give him a thousands of kiss even when he was sleeping ,we say go wake dad up and he would, I’m very saddened this happened
Libby says
You are all in my thoughts as you go through this. Cliff was an amazing man, and loved all of you. He was the kind of person that put others ahead of his own needs or wants. He worked hard and cared deeply.
Dottie Marion says
Love you lots Clifford! Always and Forever! While my time is left on earth I promise to be there for all your kids in their time of need! I know you are reunited with a lot of family and out of pain, so when you see the tears of many just know it’s tears of missing you here on earth!! Love you and watch for all the kisses blown your way!!
Till we meet again ❤️
Love Dottie
Delsy Dickert says
Dad is will miss u every single day for the rest of my life. I promised u i will help take care of the family and I always will. Dad u will forever me my angel 😇 💓 thank u for all u have done and for the woman I have become. U are my hero and my best friend. I love u dad
Brooklin Marion says
Dad. You are and will always be loved by everyone who knows you. I have so many good memories of us together and I will cherish them. I promise to help take care of the family and to be together. its been hard since you’ve been gone but as a family we will get through this together. I love you with all my heart and ik you will be watching and looking out for us. I love you so much dad
Zerba says
Clifford was the best dad/ friend you can ask for he was so funny he was a great person he will be missed by a lot of people but not forgotten I loved going on rides with him and I love play games and doing everything with him he is best and I will miss him. you all have a blessed day
Keyanna Marion says
i love you with my whole heart dad. you will be forever missed. i’m happy you are out of pain but i’m gonna miss you. i will leave every day happy that im one day closer to seeing you but sad one day since i last saw you. i love you forever my angel. thank you for giving me life and being there every step of the way. be by my side til my last breath as i was for you, i love you dad💜, long live you dad🕊️.
Karen Moldenhauer says
Clifford you will always have a special place in my memories, and in my heart. I have never forgotten you and I was very fond of the time that we did have together. You are good Dad to your children, and a good family man. You will be missed by everybody who knew you.
Milly Johnson Eggebrecht says
RIP Cousin Clifford
Steve McCall says
R.I.P. Clifford, thank you for always being a cool dude while working register at town pump when I was a customer.
The world needs more like you! R.I.P.
Lynda Dickert says
Dear Delsy.
We are deeply sorry that your father has passed on. While we did not have the pleasure of meeting him personally, we are sure that he was most enjoyable to know. We would have loved to have known him ! Thank you for sharing your fond memories of your life as his daughter. These memories will only become more precious as time goes on. My father passed away when I was eight years old as a result of emotional injuries incurred during the WWII. I will never forget him and the shared times we did have together. (My favorite….being held atop his sholders. It seemed that I could view the whole world from there! ) Our family also liked to camp in the mountains. I remember when I caught my first fish with a string tied on a stick. JOY! JOY! ( I think this was the only fish I ever caught).
We love you and are so sorry that this time has come to you and your dear family. Thank HEAVEN that we can look forward to being with our loved ones again one day. We express our deepest sympathy and we feel assured that you can be together with him one day. Most sincerely and with much love, Lynda and Richard Dickert
Tom Olsen says
Clifford and I spent a fair amount of time together way back in the days in Toston. There may have been a time when we snuck a six pack from the cooler at the White Beaver. And it might have been drank that summer night years ago. We loved playing pool and foosball at the bar and riding horses or motorcycles all over the place. Clifford was truly a jokester and always liked to make people laugh. I love the picture above as that is exactly how I remember. Rest in peace Clifford.