Clifford “Cliff” Fees

    Clifford "Cliff" Fees, age 88, Philip, S.D., died June 16, 2015, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
    Clifford LeRoy Fees was born January 29, 1927, at the Fees Ranch in western Jackson County, the son of Burton and Viola (Odefey) Fees.
    He grew up on the ranch and received his elementary education at Big Buffalo Rural School. He then attended Cottonwood High School for three years and Quinn High School his senior year, graduating in 1944.
    Cliff worked for several area ranchers and in 1949 took over the Fees Ranch, which he later purchased.
    Cliff was united in marriage to Ann Ward on June 12, 1951, and to this union were born five children, Veryl, Kelly, Howard, Donald and Sheri.
    Cliff and Ann farmed and ranched in western Jackson County most of their lives. During this time they also purchased the Ward Ranch in 1963 and moved to that location. They later sold the Fees Ranch to their son Kelly, and in February 2002 sold the Ward Ranch but continued to live there on a 40-acre lifetime estate.
    Cliff was active in 4-H and was secretary-treasurer of the Fairview School District, president of the White River Grazing Association, and president and secretary-treasurer of the Cottonwood Roping Club for many years. Cliff was a member of the United Church, Philip.
    He was very active in Masonry, Eastern Star and Shriners, having served as Worshipful Master of the lodge, past patron of the Eastern Star, 4-Rivers Shrine Club president, and was a 32 degree Mason.
    Cliff enjoyed the outdoors, farming, ranching and was an avid fisherman and hunter.
    Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Ann; four sons, Veryl Fees and his wife, Carol, Des Moines, Iowa, Kelly Fees and his wife, Deanna, Hart Ranch, and Donald Fees and his wife, Carmen, Philip, and Howard Fees, Kent, Minn.; one daughter, Sheri and her husband, Dennis Holloway, Hillsborough, N.C.; 20 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Arlene, Sturgis; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
    He was preceded in death by his parents.
    Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at the United Church in Philip with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.
    Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 26, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Philip.
    Interment will be at the Masonic Cemetery.
    A memorial has been established to the Masonic Lodge #153 of Philip, and the NAJA Shriners.
    Rush Funeral Home of Philip is in charge of arrangements.
    His online guestbook can be viewed at www.rushfuneralhome.com