On September 27th,2023, Clifton A. Tynes, 61, left his earthly home to attend to his heavenly father. Clifton was born on March 18th,1962 to his parents, William and Flossie Tynes, of Norfolk Virginia. He was born the youngest of five children.

Clifton graduated high school from Norview Senior High School and went on to complete a four-year degree in accounting from Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia. Upon graduation, he had several corporate offers for employment. He chose IBM, Fishkill, N.Y. and remained a Dutchess County resident throughout his life. It was shortly thereafter he met his life partner, Stephen Barnum, of over 38 years, who survives at their Poughkeepsie home with their schnauzer, Katie.

Most of his career was divided between IBM, Reader's Digest, and Central Hudson Gas and Electric. Intermittent posts included Gretag MaccBeth, Aris-Isotoner, Laerdal, Pepsi and Coke.

Over the past two decades he was part of multiple LGBTQ organizations. More recently, he volunteered for Puppies Behind Bars where he helped provide outside socialization for puppies being trained by prison inmates to become service dogs. His love of animals ran through his life with fish, birds, cats and especially dogs.

In addition to his life partner, he is survived by his sister, Brenda Smith, and husband, Joe, of Virginia; his oldest brother, William Tynes, and wife, Ann, also of Virginia; and a brother, Waverly Tynes, and wife, Li, of Texas. There are multiple nieces and nephews including Lisa Bares; two God sisters, Tina and Toni; along with a multitude of close friends.

He is predeceased by both his parents and his oldest sister, Lula.

Cremation has taken place. There will be memorial calling hours from 4 to 7 PM on October 26th at Sweets Funeral Home, Rte. 9, Hyde Park.

A communion service will be held at 6 PM, Friday, October 27th at Christ Episcopal Church, 20 Carroll St., Poughkeepsie.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 2649 South Road, Suite 101, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. (www.alz.org/hudsonvalley)

To send an online condolence or for directions, please visit Clifton's obituary page at www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.