James Clifton Windham, Jr. "Cliff"

James Clifton “Cliff” Windham, Jr, left his earthly home and went to his Heavenly home to be with his family, friends, and pets on December 31, 2019. Cliff Windham was the third child and second son of James Clifton Windham and Elma Emma Windham. He arrived on December 21, 1945 in Wilmington, North Carolina. His mother died giving him birth. As a result, Cliff had a challenging childhood and he overcame many adversities in his youth.

In 1962, Cliff enlisted in the military in the Army. He served in the 3rd Battlegroup, 6th Infantry, US Berlin Brigade during the cold war as an infantryman in Berlin, Germany. He was assigned to Spandau prison in West Berlin that housed the remaining Nazi war criminals at that time. He re-enlisted during the Vietnam War and served 3 tours of duty from 1966-1973. He served as a medic in the First Cavalry Division (Airborne), First Battalion, 8th Cavalry in the Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Companies. He was wounded during the war and received the Purple Heart. “Doc Windy” was on the front line in many battles in the Vietnam War and received the Bronze Star for his heroic actions.

He married Mary Patricia Hayes in 1966 and divorced. He married, second, Susan Morgan in 1968 and three children were born to this union. He and Susan divorced. He married Sherry Lynn “Cheryl” Cossin in 1974 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Cliff and Cheryl had no children, but they opened their hearts and home to friends and family and their children became Cliff and Cheryl’s children. 

Cliff joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while he was stationed in Germany in the Army. During the course of his lifetime he served in many positions of leadership and teaching in the church. He loved working with the youth and being a missionary. He loved talking about the gospel to anyone who would listen and converted many to the gospel. 

Cliff started researching his family tree in the early 1970’s and genealogy became a passion of his. He spent many hours, visits, and years searching for his ancestors and their families. He was an avid North Carolina State fan and couldn’t wait for March Madness to come around every year

Cliff worked a variety of jobs during his life. He was a postman in North Carolina, a Deputy Sheriff in North Carolina and Texas, a chemical plant operator for Big 3, a scaffold builder for Coastal Scaffold, a deckhand on a boat, a route driver for Air Logistics, and held many more jobs. He was a hard worker and did his best in whatever job performed. 

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Windham; his children: James Clifton III, Audrey Denise, and Christine Emma “Chrissy” Windham; sisters-in-law: Tammy (Roy) Fairbanks and Debbie (Ronald) Kirby; brothers-in-law: Johnny (Melissa) Cossin and Jake (Lee) Cossin; mother-in-law: Mrs. Evelyn “Ma” Cossin, numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, James Clifton and Elma Emma Windham; his sister, Priscilla Ann Windham; his brother, Albert Windham; and his father-in-law, Robert Homer Cossin.

A memorial service will be held on February 22, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Lake Jackson, Texas.

Arrangements entrusted to Dixon Funeral Home of Brazoria at (979) 798-9113.        

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