Reverend James Ayson Clifford, 1912-1999
Ayson Clifford, of Whangaparaoa, near Auckland, is the compiler of the Ayson family tree. He is the son of Jessie Ayson the daughter of Peter Jnr and he is a great grandson of Peter.
Born at Clinton, where his father was an engine driver, he enjoyed a boyhood rich with escapades in the local streams and great tussock hills, and with holidays at Warepa.
At Sunday school he learned the Shorter Catechism by heart. After High School in Invercargill he gained his science degree in Dunedin, but concluded that the need of his generation was not for more technology but for more Christianity. He trained for the Ministry at the Baptist Theological College, Auckland.
After pastorates at Karori and Hawera he came back to the College as a staff member for 33 years, 11 of those as principal.
In 1937, he married Cecily Reed, formerly of the Isle of Wight, England.
He has a keen interest in Biblical archaeology, having spent two long periods in Bible lands.
He has devoted several recent years to compiling, systematically, an Ayson family tree. His 100 or more A4 pages of Clan tree stretched the entire length of the hall at the 1990 National gathering in Christchurch.
As the one available ordained Clan member, he has found it an honour to conduct church services at Clan gatherings.
Obituary.
Reverend James Ayson Clifford ( l-1-2 ) 1912 - 1999
Born in Clinton 1912 Reverend James Ayson Clifford died in Auckland 3rd November 1999. Son of Jessie Douglas and James Gunn Clifford. Great grandson of Peter and Douglas.
Ayson received his Primary education at Clinton School, Secondary education at Southland Boys ' High School and Masters in Chemistry at Otago University.
A humble highly intelligent man. In his own words Ayson said "the need of his generation, was not for more technology but for more Christianity." He became a Baptist Minister serving in several pastorates, then spent thirty three years as a staff member of the Baptist College, eleven of these as Principal.
Ayson was a wonderful worker for our Clan Society. He researched all of the early work on our family Tree, then handed it over to Ted Ayson to complete and put on the computer.
As a Clan Family we were always appreciative of the way he conducted our church services at many of our National Gatherings.
Our love and sympathy goes out to Cicely who has so ably supported him in their life together, and during his last illness.
Acknowledgement:
The Ayson Story - Genshee to Otago - 1853 - 2000