CLIFFORD JOSEPH SOUZA

Clifford Joseph Souza, 92, passed away on June 22, 2026. Clifford was born on July 1, 1933, in Santa Maria. He was the youngest of six siblings born to Manuel and Rose Souza.

Clifford attended Bonita School, St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Santa Maria High School in 1951. He married Virginia Lee Barca on September 5, 1954. They were married 71 years and lived their entire married life on the family ranch and raised their three children there.

He farmed vegetable crops his entire career and was very proud of his work. In his early days of farming, he was a co-owner of Souza Brothers Packing Company along with his brothers Henry and Earl. Later he formed C & V Farms, Inc. and farmed until his retirement in 2008. Even after retirement, he never missed a day of getting in his pickup and driving around the ranch.

He served in the United States Army from 1956-1958. In 1959, along with his three brothers, became a member of the Santa Maria Elks Lodge #1538 (life member of 67 years). He and his wife Virginia were also members of the Elks Travelers camping group. Clifford was also a life member of the D.E.S. Club.

Clifford and Virginia loved camping and traveling in their motorhome. They especially loved camping and traveling with their family and very special friends. In 1977, they purchased a home at Nacimiento Lake. They shared many memorable years at “the lake house”. Everyone seemed to congregate at the Souza’s lake house. Their door was always open and ready for a good party with the BBQ pit lit (with linguica and top block a standard fare) and definitely drinks flowing for anyone who stopped by to say hi.

Clifford is survived by his wife Virginia, son and daughter-in-law, Daryl and Cindy Souza, daughter Karen Souza, and daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Ray Bognuda. He also leaves behind five grandchildren Adam (Jessica) Souza, Dusty (Danielle) Souza, Ryan (Brandi) Bognuda, Kevy (Jason) Mendes and Brianna (Eric) Farmer, 11 great grandchildren Montgomery and Weston Souza, Dally Souza, Fallon, Sage and Reed Bognuda, Griffen, Beau, Sheppard and Ellery Mendes and Tinley Farmer. Also, sister-in-law Carol Bosio and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Janice and Glenn Battles, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Rose Souza and his 5 siblings, Alice Karleskint, Bernice Signorelli, Henry Souza, Melvin Souza and Earl Souza.

Visitation will be at the Chapel of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, with the Recitation of the Holy Rosary to follow at 6:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 am, Thursday, July 2, 2026, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the Santa Maria Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or your favorite charity.

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