Clifton L. Dearing

Clifton L. “Cliff” Dearing, 97, passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2026. He was born in Durham on May 3, 1929 to the late Onidas H. Dearing and Nettie Guye Dearing.

Cliff served in the U.S. Army for 2 years before going to work at the American Tobacco Company in Durham. After several years, he started working as a carpenter at Camp Butner while attending nighttime drafting classes at Durham Tech and then became self employed as a contractor building houses. Later he owned and operated an auto garage on E. Main Street.

By the time he was 40, Cliff made the decision to retire. However, a few years later he decided to work with his son, Ronnie, who owned Bragtown Sport Shop. He was there three years, retired again and never looked back.

Cliff enjoyed tinkering on his trucks and cars, working on his home projects, tending to his small vegetable garden and still mowing his grass until his recent health issues. He was a very independent and strong-willed man and always did everything his way.

He is survived by his son, Ronnie Dearing (Carolyn); daughter, Robbie Sessoms (Chuck) and 2 grandsons, Michael Dearing and Josh Sessoms. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, O. H. Dearing, Jr.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 29th at 2:00 pm at Hudson Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Earl Echols. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service from 12:30 to 2:00 pm. Burial will follow the service at Woodlawn Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Michael Dearing, Chuck Sessoms and Josh Sessoms.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lower Cape Fear Life Care, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401