Clifford Family Donations

A message from Garrett High School senior student Kandyce Combs:

     During this tough time, we know our community is kind enough to search for any way to help the Clifford family. Through this GoFundMe, all donations will go towards Mallory and the kids to help cover any expenses they may be facing. 
     Jake Clifford was an outstanding, strong, and caring man. He unarguably made every single one of his students feel like family. Below, are just a few detailed accounts of memories and laughs we have shared with Mr. Clifford as students. Jake truly left an impact on us all. He helped us find our "Why". 

“Mr. Clifford always made sure to ask me how hockey was going, and that meant a lot. I noticed through the years that he truly cared about anything us students did.” -Keegan Mccomb 

“I remember during sophomore year I would always leave my binder and computer in front of Mr. Fiedler's old class room before I went to lunch. One day someone picked up my stuff and I didn’t know where my things went, so I went down to Clifford’s office to get to the bottom of it. We sat there watching the security cameras and we just joked about everyone who walked past while he would zoom in on funny things we saw.  The next hour we just sat there and  talked more about my future plans and just life in general. That day was something I will never forget. Clifford was just that type of guy who cared for everyone and had a heart bigger than himself, he will truly be missed.” -Colton Weimer 

“Mr. Clifford had an impact on every student at Garrett that met him, but his impact on me was something I never expected from a staff member at Garrett. There were times that I felt alone and he could see that by looking at me. Everyday when I walked in the school and he would give me a pat on the back and make sure I was doing okay. He always made sure that I knew that I had someone to talk to. There was a point in my high school career that I wanted to leave Garrett because I felt like I didn’t fit in. He was the reason I stayed. He was the reason I never gave up on school and on sports. He always had my back and he always supported me when I needed it the most. He was always in my corner. He was one of the closest people I had when it came to needing a father figure. The impact he had on my life is almost indescribable. He was one of my “why’s.” I tried my best for him.” -‘20 Alum, Jayden Broadnax

"Clifford and I were like buddies.  We always bantered back and forth about little things but it was our way of showing each other we cared. He made me feel valued as a student, athlete and a person.  At first I thought his tough love was kinda scary, but I soon grow to love it because that was him. It was real.  If he wasn't showing tough love then it wasn't Clifford. I really loved that he still liked to have fun and knew how to have a good time especially with Mr. Smith.  It was fun just to watch them interact with each other.  Mr. Clifford was the person you wanted to make proud and it's my goal to live in such a way that he would have been proud of me." -Sadie Best

Mr Clifford: "Hey how do you feel about ties?
Me: "They make a situation too formal."
*him laughing because he was talking about my game* -Macy Newman

“As some of you might know, Mr. Clifford and my family are super close. To my father and him being best friends and me always being with the 4 kids and Mal because I would babysit them. Clifford and me have grown pretty close throughout the years. Mr. Clifford always made me strive to be better than I thought I could be. He always said to give my best in everything I did. There are too many memories I would love to share but I will keep it to one. The one memory that I remember the most was when I would talk with Jake and my dad in their office in the morning before school. I was planning to make a decision of where to play volleyball at in college. He used to always get so excited when those conversations would come up in talks in my dad's office before school. He always said that he couldn’t wait to watch me play in college. I remember the day when I decided to verbally commit, his house was the first place I went. I will always remember the look on his face when my dad and I told him I had decided to play at Jacksonville State. I will never forget Mr. Clifford and what he has done for me as a person and a player. No one truly cared as much as Mr. Clifford did and it showed. To Mr. Clifford, I now know another “Why” for myself. Thank you for showing me how one caring person can change so many lives. I will never forget your legacy.” -Logan Smith

“Mr. Clifford, You made me feel like an adult. You respected me in a way no one ever had, putting relationships and personal growth over education sometimes. You understood the value of a good conversation, and constantly put others above yourself, meeting the needs of a generation looking up to you. GHS was changed forever under your leadership and you were a constant positive influence for all. I never felt like I couldn't talk to you, that I couldn't speak up, that I couldn't get an A, and that I couldn't thrive in athletics. You were a solid mountain for me and I am a responsible, productive citizen because of you.”  -‘19 Alum, Audra Best

“There was this one time where Mr. Clifford and Mr.Smith were messing around in the school during quarantine. He really always made the best out of things, especially with quarantine taking its toll on us.” -Anthony Semons