A Legacy Story

 Clyde Clifton Story

October 9, 1948 - November 7, 2020

How do you put over 70 years of life in a single obituary? You can’t, but I’m going to try.

Clyde Clifton Story, known to most as Cliff, was also called “Junior” by his family (much to his chagrin). Junior was born in Lexington, KY to Clyde Story Sr. and Virgie Lawson Story. He idolized his big brothers John and Carl and tried to look out for his younger sister Levinia (Venie). He married high school friend Rita White, but that marriage was short-lived. While attending the University of Kentucky he met Joyce “Joy” Cooke and fell in love with her long dark hair and green eyes. She remained the love of his life and the last words he wrote while on this earth were to wish her a happy birthday.

Joy and Cliff graduated from the University of Kentucky – but not from becoming lifelong Kentucky basketball fans. Cliff later matriculated from Stetson University School of Law, graduating cum laude and 5th in his class. The next years would become the highlight of his life. He and Joy gave birth to two daughters, Kimberlie (Kim) and Kristina (Krissie). He became a prominent commercial real estate attorney in Dallas, closing multi-million dollar deals with companies such as The Paragon Group and Lincoln Property Company. He loved networking, traveling, and closing deals. He loved the prestige and perks that came with his position, and he loved being a father. Unfortunately, the good times did end.

Throughout the rest of his life, he was never quite able to capture what he lost after the “good old days”.

Joy and Cliff divorced in 2007 and he retired shortly thereafter. He spent his last few years enjoying the friendships he made as part of the Las Colinas Alesio apartment community.

It is so easy to look at such a brilliant man and lament his unrealized potential. For those of us who knew and loved him at the end, we are able to love him for who he was and not who he could have been. He was an amazing storyteller and sports enthusiast. A man short in stature but large on personality. He was happiest when outside by the pool on a sunny day with a beer in hand and meat on the grill, dancing to music and laughing with friends.

He loved deeply but tragically, hurting most those he loved the best. He had an engaging smile and an ugly temper. Like so many of us, he often fell far short of the values he espoused. But he remains an excellent example of how even the most flawed person can have a lasting positive impact on those with whom he came in contact.

Cliff is survived by his daughters, Kim and Krissie, their mother Joy Cooke Story Baxter, and their godparents Joe Urso and Liza Urso – friends who became family. He was preceded in death by his father Clyde, his mother Virgie, and his brothers Carl and John. He is survived by his sister Venie, her husband Jerry, and their 3 children and grandchildren, as well as Carl and John’s family members.

Due to Covid and the lack of family who live locally, there will not be an official service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Meals On Wheels, an organization which took such great care of him in his final days and is so important in our community right now. Fundraiser information can be found here: https://www.mightycause.com/story/5xccfg

To honor his memory, think of him when you hear Amazing Grace, grill a steak, boogie to some Motown, or visit an aquarium.

I want to end by sharing a poem he wrote in 2013, shortly after he was diagnosed with cirrhosis.

                A soul-searching ship was lost at sea,

                Could not find the truthfulness lee,

                But courage of insight and a paradigm shift,

                Forbade that ship from going adrift.

                For avast a new rudder that loving vessel has found,

                Soul-searching still but for real happiness is now bound.

Junior, I hope you found the real happiness you were searching for.

Your loving daughter,

Kim