David Wesley Cliett

Services for David Wesley Cliett, Sr., 83, of Thomasville, will be held at 11:00AM, Saturday, August 16, 2014 in the chapel of Allen and Allen Funeral Home. Rev. Dr. Milton C. Gardner and Rev. Richard Harrison will officiate and interment will follow at Sunset Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers will be Eugene Royals and Marion Thrift; Pallbearers will be Don Phillips, John Phillips, David Cliett III, Andrew Cliett, Rodney Bennett, and Rusty Law.
Mr. Cliett was born August 4, 1931 near Nicholls, GA, a son of the late Felton and Myrtice Cliett. He attended Nicholls Elementary and High School, graduating in 1948, and attended South Georgia College in 1949 - 50.
David worked for the railroad all of his life, surviving multiple mergers that started with Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Lines and lead to eventual retirement from CSX Transportation. He began his railroad career on September 10, 1951 in the signal department with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in five states. His career spanned 36 years and 4 months, and included the transition to Seaboard Coastline in 1967. He retired late in 1987 as a radio maintainer for Georgia and Alabama with CSX Transportation. He sustained many lifelong friendships with railroad coworkers over the years and thoroughly enjoyed his career with the railroad. His colleagues described him as consistently reliable and a model employee. Thomasville became home to the family in 1965 when he accepted his last railroad transfer.
After retirement, David and Ruby fulfilled their dreams by crisscrossing the US, enjoying travel across the continental US in their RV for 15 years. They witnessed many spectacular sights with his favorites being Bryce and Zion Canyons, and the big boulders in Utah. He also loved the giant Sequoias trees in California. He always had a great appreciation of God’s handiwork vs. manmade things. David began running after retirement and was seen around Thomasville running or walking until 2012, when he stopped due to health.
Four days a week at 10:30 am, David could be found in fellowship with his coffee drinking buddies. This group started meeting in 1980, and changed members many times. Current coffee friends included Billy Garbett, Milton Gardner, Jack Howell, and Maxie Powell.
David was a member of the First Baptist Church in Thomasville, GA. David was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a humble and gentle man dearly loved by all who knew him. He was the rock for his extended family, and was always available to provide loving support to those in need. Extended family members and friends have described him as a generous man who loved his family and was admired for being a role model full of integrity and strength of character. He inspired many to live life to the fullest.
On October 19, 1951, David married Ruby Royals Cliett, who survives him. Other survivors include daughters Patricia Phillips, Tallahassee and Peggy Chastain, Jacksonville, and son David Cliett, Jr (Brenda), Thomasville. He is survived by 7 grandchildren: Don Phillips (Rheanon), John Phillips (Cindy) Pam Adams (Denzil) , Melissa Bennett (Rodney), David Cliett III (Cheryl), Ashley Law (Rusty), and Andrew Cliett, and 10 Great Grandchildren. One great granddaughter preceded him in death. He has two surviving siblings, Wynell Adams (Herman) and Frank Cliett (Sue). Preceding him in death are his parents and six siblings: Sisters Thelma Pohl (Bob), Vera Tyre (Kennon), and Rose Adams (Homer) and Brothers: Calvin Cliett (Jean), Bradley Cliett (Dorothy), and Oscar Cliett (Frances). The family will receive friends on Friday, August 15, 2014 6:00PM until 8:00PM at the funeral home. Guests may sign the online register at www.allenfh.com .