Award-winning breeder Clifford Leroy Coonfer passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, at the age of 71.
Cliff was born in Olds, Alta., on Oct. 12, 1952 to Lester and Jean Coonfer, the youngest of seven children. Cliff was known by his family as the glue that held them all together and was recognized by many for his kind, gentle soul. Cliff was the one that everyone would call looking for family addresses, birthdates or any other information that Uncle Cliff was sure to have written down. He was the guy that would call on every birthday and the first on a doorstep should anyone need a hand.
Cliff did not stray far from Olds. In 1975, he travelled to Australia and New Zealand as part of an Agricultural Exchange with one of his nephews. Other than that, most of his working life was in Harmattan as Canadian Superior changed to Mobil, Exxon Mobil, then Imperial. He filled various roles putting his Business Administration education to use in the office and warehouse.
In 1985, Cliff married the love his life, Kathy, and lovingly accepted her children, Jeff and Shari, into his family. Sadly, Kathy passed only three weeks prior to Cliff. Right until the end, Cliff and Kathy were each other's best friends and supports. Cliff was a doting spouse and rarely a week went by without fresh flowers on the table.
Cliff and Kathy worked hard through their working years and shared goal-oriented minds, setting themselves up for the life they always wanted. In 1994, they bought a farm just outside Olds and spent the following years upgrading the house, pens and outbuildings.
Quiet retirements don’t work very well for hard workers. Cliff and Kathy jumped into the harness racing world, buying their first Standardbred broodmare in 2009. By the time of their passing, they had foaled 35 foals as part of their small breeding program, Dungannon Standardbreds. Although this may have been Kathy’s crazy idea, Cliff went along making her dreams come true while also developing a love of these horses. He was grateful to friends that taught him how to drive and enjoyed the opportunity to jog horses at the track. He also got his groom license so he could help out in the barns even more. They loved their time at the track with friends from the industry cheering on “their babies.”
At the time of Kathy’s passing, Cliff was coping with his loss by offering to help others around him. He was looking forward to volunteering more in the community.
Cliff is lovingly remembered by step-daughter, Shari Leedahl (Linus Clark); daughter-in-law, Jacquie Leedahl; sister, Verna (Neils) Jensen; brothers, Lorne (Margaret) and Bert (Ann Harvyl) Coonfer; grandchildren, Easton and Elyssa Leedahl, Jaycee and Carlee Clark. He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews who were some of his best friends.
Cliff was predeceased by his wife, Kathy; step-son, Jeff Leedahl; sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Keith Viney; sister, Louise Larsback; brother and sister-in-law, Glen and Donna Coonfer; sister-in-law, Kristine Coonfer; parents, Lester and Jean Coonfer.
If you wish to make a memorial donation, please consider Olds Museum (oldsmuseum.ca/donate) or Olds and District Hospice Society (oldshospice.com).
A memorial celebrating Cliff’s life will be held at the Pomeroy Inn and Suites in Olds, Alta., on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, at 2 p.m.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Cliff Coonfer.