Clifford E. Schrader Jr.

Clifford E. Schrader Jr., age 74 of Port Huron, passed away on June 2, 2025 from complications of diabetes. Cliff was 20 when his father died, and he was left to help his mother raise his six siblings. The youngest was just 3. He shouldered the extra responsibility while also putting himself through college at Central Michigan University, serving in the Air Force Reserve, and beginning a long and varied career in business. He volunteered in his community. He became a husband, a father and a grandfather. Passionate about politics and public service, Cliff never stopped trying to improve Port Huron, the city he loved, whether it was by serving in its government or speaking and writing about the opportunities and problems he saw. He believed in Port Huron. Cliff often referred to Feb. 4 to his children as The Most Important Day of the Year. That, in 1951, was the day Clifford Eugene Schrader was born in Port Huron to Lucille Marjorie Miller Schrader and the elder Clifford Eugene Schrader. He lettered in track, basketball and baseball at Port Huron Northern High School. He continued to be athletic his whole life, even after being diagnosed with diabetes at age 30. He played racquetball, biked and ran, and in 1985, he ran a marathon in Detroit and Windsor. Cliff’s career started with work at Dunn Paper, as a clerk at the Colonial Inn and at United Migrants for Opportunity, Inc. He became a real estate broker, appraiser, landlord and an independent business owner who ran his own real estate and property management companies as well as a photo development business and, for decades, the Colonial Laundromat. He took on volunteer causes that would help the vulnerable. He was the treasurer of Domestic Assault/Rape Elimination Services (DARES) of St. Clair County, which operated shelter homes for people in need. He was active in the United Way at the county and state levels. He served on the school board, and then on the Port Huron City Council. Port Huron politics wouldn’t be the same after Nov. 13, 1995. That’s when Cliff took office as a member of the city council. Cliff and his allies shook up city government, convinced that the town’s power brokers – or “the Good Ol’ Boys,” as Cliff called them – needed to be reined in. Not everyone took well to this. Opponents resorted to a rare recall campaign. They gathered enough signatures to get it on the ballot, but the city voted against the recall. After that, Cliff’s campaigns weren’t as successful, but he stayed in politics - advocating for causes like bringing a casino to Port Huron, and making his opinions known on various platforms, including on radio and for nearly a decade as a newspaper columnist. The note that was added at the end of his columns, “His opinions are not those of the Times Herald or WGRT,” provided notice that he hadn’t exactly toned down his passionate views. He was proud of the disclaimer. Cliff showed his dedication to his children with his involvement in their activities, chaperoning their field trips and cheering at their hockey games, gymnastics meets and band concerts. Many fathers might volunteer to help put on a production of “Peter Pan,” but few would enroll as a “flying assistant,” taking responsibility for the thin ropes that kept a little actor aloft as he careened from side to side above the stage, crying. (Not, it should be said, because of who was at the controls.) Cliff did. He is survived by four children, Jordan (Jenny) Schrader, Cliff Schrader, Carter Schrader and Alanna Schrader; grandson Ford Schrader; and siblings William (Theresa) Schrader, Richard Schrader, Timothy (Karen) Schrader, Cheryl Schrader and Kimberly (Cary) Bowman. He was preceded in death by a son and by a brother, Steven Schrader. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 3:00pm in the Jowett Funeral Home – 1634 Lapeer Ave., Port Huron. Minister Shaun Laurain will officiate. The memorial visitation hours will be 1:00pm until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the wishes of the family. Jowett Funeral Home is privileged to serve the Schrader Family. View obituary and share memories at www.jowettfuneralhome.com

Clifford E. Schrader Jr.

February 4, 1951 - June 2, 2025