James Matson “Matt” Clabough of Coffeyville passed from death into life eternal in the presence of his Savior on Wednesday 21 July 2021. He was 89.
James Matson Clabough was born on 17 December 1931 at Winfield, Kansas to James L. and Ruth Lorene (McKay) Clabough. He attended school at Winfield through his high school sophomore year in 1947 at which time the family moved to Coffeyville. He was a 1949 graduate of Field Kindley High School, where he earned letters for football and participated in track and field athletics. He then attended Coffeyville Community College where he continued his athletic career, playing football for the Red Ravens during the 1949 and 1950 seasons and earning letters both years. He was a student at the University of Kansas from 1951-1953, where he majored in Business and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. He was inducted into the U. 5. Army in 1953, attaining the rank of Sergeant and serving in the Corps of Engineers on Okinawa.
Mr. Clabough left military service in 1955 and returned to Coffeyville, where he joined the Brewer-Clabough International Harvester farm equipment and truck dealership established in 1947; the Clabough family later became sole owners of the business, which operated in Coffeyville for 50 years. On 02 August 1959 he married Elizabeth Jeanette "Peggy" Kiddoo, also of Coffeyville; the couple would make Coffeyville their home for nearly 62 years and were members of the First Presbyterian Church, where Mr. Clabough was deacon, elder, Sunday School teacher, and member of the chancel choir. After retirement, he worked for Ford-Wulf-Bruns Funeral Service and delivered flowers for Jan-L's Flowers and Gifts.
Mr. Clabough is a past president of the Coffeyville Jaycees and Coffeyville Boys Club. He was a charter member of the Bulls & Bears Investment Club. He received an award from the American Red Cross for lifetime blood donations exceeding 20 gallons. Later he was a member of the Coffeyville Men’s Chorus. He was a long-time booster of both Coffeyville High School and Coffeyville College athletic and music programs.
Outside of work and civic interests, Mr. Clabough enjoyed spending time with family, was an enthusiastic fan of the Kansas Jayhawks, and followed several professional sports teams. He enjoyed travel, once winning a trip to the United Kingdom as part of a sales contest. He also was an avid fisherman and maintained interests in Civil War history and antique International Harvester farm equipment. His booming bass voice, vibrant sense of humor, and colorfully unique way of expressing himself all are well-known and well-loved by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy Clabough, son Michael, granddaughter Allyson, grandson Zachary, three nieces, two nephews, and an extended family of great-nieces and great nephews related by marriage. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother Eric Clabough.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday 27 July 2021 at the First Presbyterian Church, 402 W 8th St, Coffeyville, KS, Pastor Diane Massey will be officiating. Services are under the direction of Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville. Friends are welcome to sign the register on Monday, July 26 at the chapel from 10 am to 5 pm. The family has requested Memorial Contributions to be made payable to the First Presbyterian Church. To leave an online message of condolence or share in a memory visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com
