Former Chief Magistrate of Cleveland Municipal Court, co-founder of 100 Black Men chapter
May 7, 1949 — February 19, 2026
Gregory F. Clifford, a devoted public servant, respected jurist, and steadfast civic and community servant-leader, died on February 19. He was 76.
Chief Magistrate Clifford served the Cleveland Municipal Court with distinction for almost forty years. He began in 1986 as a general referee and magistrate, rising in the ranks until 2001, when he was appointed Chief Magistrate. In this role, he managed magistrates and support staff handling small claims, traffic, misdemeanor, and civil matters, and provided legal research and recommendations to the Court’s General Division judges.
Retired Judge Ronald B. Adrine, who served as chief Cleveland Municipal Court judge for much of Clifford’s tenure at the court, lauded Clifford for his intellect and character. “Greg was an exceptional lawyer and more than that, an exceptional human being. He was always available to help others, and he was especially committed to the mentorship of young black lawyers. He was involved in more things than I could count.”
Referring to Clifford’s two electoral runs for judge, Adrine said that the voters missed an opportunity. “Greg would have been an outstanding judge. He had compassion, a strong work ethic, legal knowledge, and the requisite deportment.”
Judge Charles Patton, who retired from the Cleveland Municipal Court in January, was friends with Clifford for most of their lives. They were fellow students at Chesterfield Elementary, Patrick Henry Jr Hi, Glenville HS, and Ohio University. He called Clifford as a valued friend and colleague who always provided sage advice. “Greg was smart and practical. He would have made an excellent judge.”
Clifford held numerous leadership roles; he was a past president of the Norman S. Minor Bar Association as well as the Ohio Association of Magistrates. He also served as a course planner and faculty member for the Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College. His civic and nonprofit involvement spanned decades, including service with Catholic Charities Services Corporation, the Cleveland NAACP, the East Cleveland Public Library, the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Citizens Advisory Board, and many others.
Clifford was a founding force behind the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc., helping establish its Cleveland chapter in 1997 after years of effort to bring the national organization’s mission to the city. As Chairman Emeritus of its board of directors, he remained deeply invested in mentoring and youth advocacy. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he conceived the “Walk A Mile with A Child” initiative — an opportunity for mentors and mentees to connect safely while fostering health, dialogue, and inspiration. What began as a simple walk became a powerful symbol of support, reminding young men that they matter and that their futures are filled with possibility.
Clifford had been on the Glenville Alumni Association Executive Board since the 1990s. He held many positions including treasurer, vice president, and Scholarship Ball committee chairman. He was instrumental in starting the Glenville Alumni Associations Membership Endowment Fund through the Cleveland Foundation. Chief Clifford also chaired the 1967 Class Reunion Committee. He was a proud Glenville Tarblooder.
His many honors reflect a life of service and distinction. Among them were the Distinguished Alumni Award for Civic Involvement from Cleveland State University, the Norman S. Minor Bar Association Trailblazer Award, the Franklin A. Polk Public Servants Merit Award, the Archbishop James P. Lyke African American Male Image Award from the Knights of St. Peter Claver, and numerous other recognitions for civic leadership and volunteerism, including being featured in Who’s Who in Black Cleveland.
He was also a dedicated member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, earning the moniker “Mr. Aloysius” for his service. He was also a dedicated member of the Raynards, the Royal Vagabonds, and the Shriners.
Clifford was a proud member of the Prince Hall Masonry, a historically black jurisdiction of Freemasonry. He had received the highest honorary degree — 33° — recognizing exceptional service, leadership, and dedication to the community.
Clifford was born in Cleveland on May 7, 1949, to Thomas Clifford Jr and Ellen Gleason Clifford. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Ohio University, and his law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University, where he received his law degree. He was a life member and longtime trustee of the Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni Association (CMLAA), serving as its president from 2016–2017. He was instrumental in founding the Minority Outreach Committee, an initiative that has helped countless minority students acclimate to law school and the legal profession through mentorship, programming, and fellowship. He also served on the College of Law’s Board of Visitors and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2019.
Clifford passed the Ohio Bar in 1981 and worked as an assistant Cuyahoga County prosecutor and private practice before starting his long tenure on the bench.
In retirement, Clifford enjoyed traveling across the world with his wife, Karen, and spending time with family and friends. He loved visiting his kids and grandkids in the Chicago and Milwaukee areas.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Carolyn Clifford. Survivors include his wife, Karen; daughter, Tia, son-in-law Turbat; his son, David [Ruth] and their three children, Emmanuel, Gabriel and Elijah; and his beloved brother, Jeffrey.
A funeral mass will be held at 11a on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 10932 St, Clair Ave. [44108]. A wake from 10-11 family visitation period will precede the service.
A public viewing will take place from 1:30p-3:30p, followed by a gathering of family and friends on Friday, March 6 from 3:30p-5:30p, and a 5:30p Masonic Service at E. F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home and Crematory, 2165 East 89 St [44106].
The funeral mass will be livestreamed.
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