Clifford Lushbough

Clifford Phillip Lushbough, 88 passed away on December 3, 2022 at his home in Aurora, CO.  Cliff was born on February 28, 1934, in Sturgis, SD to Herbert and Vera Lushbough.  He married his high school sweetheart DeVee DesJarlais in Sturgis, SD on August 12, 1956.

Raised in Sturgis, SD, graduating from Sturgis High School in 1952. He initially attended South Dakota School of Mines and later transferred to the  University of South Dakota, graduating in August 1956.  Cliff and DeVee moved to Aurora, CO in August 1956 where they spent 58 wonderful years in the same home. He spent 32 years teaching high school chemistry, math, science, physics and coached basketball in the Aurora Public School System.

Cliff had a great love for life and enjoyed traveling with DeVee and friends to places all over the world from Canada to Central America and across the sea to Ireland, England, Egypt, and on to New Zealand and Australia.

Cliff volunteered for the Adams County Historical Museum where over the years he played a key role in making the museum a center for excellence regarding history, science , and technology in Adams County.  He also carefully created a repository at the museum to showcase his 600+ collection of scales and balances from around the world, each with a thoroughly researched story.  Some of his other passions were stamp collecting, skilled carpentry/remodeling, detailed woodworking, and world-class tinkering.  He was also a passionate supporter of the Denver Zoo Children’s Program and the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado.

Cliff is survived by his brother Ross Lushbough, sister-in-law Sylvia DesJarlais, his four nieces Christin (Lushbough) Hunter, Sarah Lushbough, Mary (Lushbough) Irby, and Tami DesJarlais, and nephews Joe and Scott DesJarlais. He is a great uncle to many and a great great uncle to one. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife DeVee, and sister Ann E. Lushbough.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions in his memory be made to:

The Denver Zoo Children’s Program

2300 Steele Street

Denver, CO 80205-4899

Attn: Josie Stewart