Clyde L. Sheffield

Clyde "Bear" Sheffield was bigger than life, and took his bear hugs and huge smile everywhere he went. He was a firefighter, active in his church & community, but his family was always an important focus in his life. Sheffield, 71, died March 23, at the VA Community Living Center, Orlando after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. "Bear" was the name given by his firefighting buddies, early in his career. He was a big guy, but those close to him knew he was a teddy bear. He was often known to grab a "bear nap", between runs at the station, which his buddies referred to as hibernating. Clyde started his firefighting career in the USAF, went to The City of Winter Park, then to Kennedy Space Center, where he spent 33 yrs. It was an exciting era, and as the Space Center grew up around him, he was involved in the Apollo and Shuttle programs, until in his retirement in '98. He was part of the Kennedy Astronaut Rescue Team, and the overseas emergency rescue in Africa. He loved traveling, and often combined his tour of duty, with an after-trip, to sites in Europe and Africa. His wife of 50 years, Evelyn "Cookie", enjoyed the opportunity also, waiting for him in Paris for a week once, after continual shuttle holds, and joining him in Morocco another time. Clyde was actively involved in his church, at the First Baptist of Longwood. He was busy in the children's programs, and the bus ministry. He helped grow the activities ministry, and loved working with neighborhood kids who wandered into the church gym. Even after his diagnosis with Alzheimer's, he led devotions at a nearby nursing home, and directed games for children's AWANA. The Lord & his church was his joy. Clyde chose years ago to donate his brain to The State of Florida Brain Bank for Alzheimer's Research. He thought it was "pretty cool" that his brain would be studied by major universities & teaching hospitals, and perhaps help with the critical task of finding a cure for Alzheimer's. A faithful Gator Fan, Clyde & his buddies painted his old pick-up truck in Gator colors, and he was proud, win or lose, to drive around town, and flash the orange & blue. Clyde loved most of all spending time with his family in all their activities. He was preceeded in death by his parents, Noel & Mattie, and his daughter, Michelle. In addition to his wife, he is survived by son Marc Sheffield; daughters Noelle Sheffield & Naomi Suminski; sons-in-law, Jerry Brenner & Len Suminski; brother Ken Sheffield; stepmom, Kathy Sheffield & five grandchildren. . A memorial service will be held on Mon. April 2nd, at First Baptist Church, 891 State Road 434 East, Longwood, FL 32750. Visitation with the family is at 10:30 am, with the memorial service at 11am. Interment will follow on Tues, April 3rd, at 10:30am, at the Florida National Ceremony, in Bushnell. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in honor of Clyde Sheffield, to Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center, 1506 Lake Highland Dr., Orlando, 32803, or Brain Fitness Club, c/o Peggy Bargmann, First United Methodist Church, 125 N. Interlachen Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789. Arrangements are entrusted to DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory 9001 N. Orlando Avenue, Maitland, Florida 32751, 407-695-CARE (2273). GO GATORS!

Clyde L. Sheffield

October 13, 1940 - March 23, 2012