Monday, August 17, 2020
A Memorial Tribute to My Friend and Brother in Christ, Clifford "Cliff" Wayne Attaway By Danny Lynn Trussell My good friend and brother in Christ Cliff Attaway and I used to climb mountains together. We would hoist the pack and our gear. Then we would take the first step and then the next. Sometimes the steps were strenuous. But we would continue. Most times we would hike into the wilderness down a valley near a mountain stream. We would find a campsite in a meadow or by a lake. We might find ourselves camping near a lake and fishing. Or we might be on the continental divide in the mountains with the snow and green grass where few people few would venture to hike. And, then we would make the hike up the mountain to the peak through the stress and the strain, one step after another, through one grove of pine or aspen trees after another, one rock over another. But it was all worthwhile when we made the peak seeing God's creation from the top. Miles and miles of peaks or perhaps flatlands in a distance. The beauty was staggering. It was something very few would see. We would eventually come down the mountain to our campsite or car. We would travel to somewhere for a meal and then head home. The feeling of accomplishment was tremendous. "Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride," (Ecclesiastes 7:8, NLT). I called Cliff my good friend. I considered him also my best male friend. We met in Lubbock, Texas where we both grew up. We went to different high schools and we did not meet until I was a freshman at Texas Tech and Cliff was still a senior in high school. Cliff was voted in the Top Ten Plainsman at Monterey High School Lubbock, President of Morning Watch and Chaplain of the Band. He was an Eagle Scout at the age of 13, served on the Scout Council of Troop 404, and later co-founder of an Explorer Post. He was an excellent leader. He taught me many good things while backpacking together. As noted previously, we met in Lubbock, Texas. I believe it was at Asbury United Methodist Church where I was a member. The educational coordinator at the church invited friends Veta, Cliff, and me to help with the Weekday Arts and Crafts Class for the upper elementary students of the elementary school across the street from Asbury. We met on Thursdays for the year. We learned a lot about children and each other. It was there that I got to know Cliff and as a brother in Christ. There are other stories I want to share about Cliff and myself. I want to say this. There are men who may make an immense impact on the world. There are presidents, congressmen, movie stars, ministers who minister to millions, and business men and women who become billionaires and create jobs for millions. Some are scoundrels. Some are genuinely good people. I do not think that I know any of them personally. But I did know Cliff. Cliff was a good man. Cliff was successful in what he did. I know he treated people fairly and in the love of God. I know he led well. I know he was patient. We were not close all the time, but I knew my friend in Christ. I can remember his calm voice. I remember being there for his weddings and he for my first wedding. I can remember when he and his wife Kathryn were their when my first wife died. He was a friend and brother in Christ. I remember unloading to him about some terrible things in my life, but he was there. There is a proverb that says, "There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother," (Proverbs 18:24b, NIV). I always thought of Cliff as one of those types of friends. Cliff and I always seemed to draw out the best in each other when we were together. He was a powerful influence for Jesus Christ in my life. There are many great men in the world, but it is the good men who make the difference in the lives of those around them. Now, Cliff has gone on to heaven after his bout with an illness. I wish he could have lived longer on the earth. I know there are several who wish that. But he gave his last breath and went to be with the Lord. I am sure if there are mountains in heaven, Cliff will be climbing them. He was an Eagle Scout here on the earth. Now, he has mounted up on wings like the eagle into the arms of God. Whatever gain Cliff had on this earth I know he counted them all as loss for the sake of know Christ Jesus his Lord and Savior. He has been given the Crown of Life from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Cliff has finished his earthly race and is home with the Lord Jesus Christ. He is at the ultimate peak with a view beyond this world. "Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride," (Eccl 7:8, NLT).
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