Cliff Minks

Cliff Minks passed away unexpectedly from complications of his fight with ALS at the age of 64. 

Cliff will be remembered above all as a family man. He was the sixth of seven children, and grew up with an appreciation for the work it took to keep track of everyone's needs and making sure every mouth was fed. As he grew older, he never forgot these lessons, and stayed in Kansas City his whole life to repay the favor to his parents, Bill and Martha. He even lived next door to them for over ten years to ensure they always had any help they might ever need. This guiding principle would apply to his own household with his wife, Lee Ann; sons, JC and Ed; and six grandchildren, Lara, Christian, Bill, Jalaya, Jessica, and Atticus. Ask anyone who talked to him in the last 20 years, and you will understand like they did that those grandbabies were his pride and joy, the absolute highlight of his life. Watching them grow up and become the best versions of themselves was what made life worth living. Beyond his immediate family, he has served as one of the strongest anchors of a vast extended family on both his mother's side, the Lewis’, and his father's side, the Minks’. He dedicated a significant amount of his free time just checking in with the hundreds of kin that meant so much to him. He kept an encyclopedia of family lore that he would share with everyone to keep the memories strong, to pass them down to future generations to enjoy and embrace. Of course, you didn't have to be bound by blood to be as valued as his family. He made countless connections from school-age onward with people from all walks of life, maintaining lifelong friendships with the same love and affection as given to those in his family tree. 

And the most cherished of these bonds included so many of his union brothers and sisters in the Teamsters. Cliff gave over 40 years of service as a member of Local 41, starting at Lee Way Motor Freight, the same shop as his union steward father, and ending with over 25 years at Yellow Freight. These jobs were small melting pots reminiscent of America itself, bringing all sorts of people together working alongside each other as equals, pushing in the same direction for the collective good. He spent several years as a steward, a purely volunteer role dedicated to helping the working members maintain their rights as employees and fight for better working conditions, always with an eye towards future being better than the past. Outside of that aspect, he would lend an ear to literally everyone who had a question to ask or a spleen to vent. He firmly believed that what his fellow workers needed the most at these moments was someone who would listen. Being heard makes everyone feel valued, and the only price he might charge someone for that time spent was sharing some of the funniest stories he had accumulated in his life. Even if you didn't necessarily have the extra hours to spare. 

Beyond his blood relations and his chosen kinship of friends and fellow union members, Cliff lived a colorful life, keeping his tastes and hobbies modest to ensure financial stability for his family. During his younger days, outside of his day jobs, he spent time tending bar down at The Eastsider, coaching Little League baseball, hunting and fishing whenever he could sneak away, and lots of long nights singing old country music with family or with friends. As time wore on, he found an appreciation for classic cars, with a special fondness for the Ford LTD, of which he owned four throughout his life. He started collecting various trucking memorabilia, to focus on a fading history of union companies that were the backbone of not just his family but millions across the country. He carved out a date night with his wife as a weekly ritual, eating out at their favorites like Jazz or Los Tules and hitting the casino if nothing else interesting came up after dinner. Their nest was never really empty, as their pets filled in when the kids were out of their hair. He even became a cat lover in a plot twist few might have imagined, inheriting Kitty from his sister, Susan, then adopting Merida from the shelter, and welcoming in Jane, who showed up on the patio. Buddy, the dog, has learned to love not being in charge of the house now that those two have taken over. 

Cliff has left us sooner than we imagined, but his impact will never be forgotten. He was preceded in the afterlife by his parents, Bill and Martha; brother, Hank; and sisters, Reeda, Susan, and Penney. 

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Lee Ann; sons, JC (Erica), Ed (Andi); brother, Dick (Leslie); sister, Nancy; and grandchildren, Lara, Christian, Bill, Jalaya, Jessica, and Atticus. 

The family welcomes all to come celebrate Cliff's life and legacy at Speaks Suburban Chapel in Independence, Missouri, on Tuesday, August 20th, 2024 for a 6pm visitation and a 7pm service. Cliff will be laid to rest at Freeman-Holsapple Cemetery in Collins, Missouri at 11am on Wednesday, August 21st, 2024. Anyone who would like to join the family there is welcome, but under no obligation to make the lengthy drive.