Clyde L. Alford

Clyde Lee Alford, 85 years old, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at Dupont Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN.  He was born April 6, 1934, in South Bend, IN to the late Odessa Alford and Mabel (Davidson) Alford.   

Although never a regular church-goer, Clyde accepted Christ as his Savior under the leadership of his “adopted” son, Rev. Bill McGill. During his later years, he always enjoyed attending services at Pentecostal Cathedral Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of his brother, Bishop Donald L. Alford, Sr.   

Clyde was a veteran and served in the United States Army from 1956 until he was honorably discharged in 1959. It was during this time that his passion and affinity for baseball was honed. He traveled the country as part of a military league, and continued to play minor league baseball with the South Bend Globetrotters for many years. 

Clyde was united in marriage in 1962 in South Bend, IN to Evelyne Delores Thomas. They remained united in matrimony until her death on November 25, 2011. They have 3 adult children, Stephanie Denise Thomas, Clyde Christopher Alford, and Leslie Evelyne Alford.

Clyde graduated from Washington High School in South Bend, IN, and received an Associate’s Degree from Holy Cross College, and on June 30, 2019, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Indiana University. 

Clyde and Evelyne were founding members of the Guys & Dolls social club in South Bend since 1968 up to the 1980's. They developed lifelong friendships with many of these members. 

Clyde was an avid golfer, and joined the Par Putters Golf Club in South Bend in the early 1970’s. He was also a lifelong member of the Par-Tee Golf Club in Fort Wayne, and continued to support the club even after his health would no longer allow him to play. He happily introduced the game of golf to his son, daughter, and several nephews. 

Clyde and Evelyne and their children re-located to Fort Wayne from South Bend in 1972.  Clyde retired from the United States Postal Service as a Director of Operations in 1989, but he didn’t stay idle in retirement. In 1992, Clyde started ATBS (Alford Tax & Business Solutions), and worked as a tax accountant for 20 years. It was during this time that his strong sense of community began to manifest – he helped many individuals and entrepreneurs through his involvement with SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) and Women’s Enterprise (a business development program for up and coming entrepreneurs). 

Clyde is survived by children Stephanie Thomas, Clyde Christopher (Mary Kay Solomon) Alford, and 

Leslie Alford; one brother, Bishop Donald L. (Mary) Alford, Sr. of South Bend, IN; two sisters, Delores Sledge-Campbell (William Campbell) of Riverside, CA and South Bend, IN, and Janice Marable of South Bend, IN. In addition, “Uncle Clyde”, “Pop-Pop”, “Dad”, “Grandpa” is survived by a host of close friends, loving nieces and nephews, ‘adopted’ children and grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Odessa Alford and Mabel (Davidson) Alford, and siblings Calvin Otis, Robert and Odessa, Jr. Alford, Dorothy Vaughn, and Joan Baber. 

Other than his family and friends, Clyde’s lifelong passion was sports – he loved baseball, (The Chicago White Sox), football (University of Notre Dame and the Chicago Bears), and golf. His soft, laid-back demeanor, loving spirit and strong character will be missed by all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

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