Clyde Ray McCue, 86, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Saturday, November 7, 2015, at the VA Hospice at Fort Meade. He faced his passing with dignity, grace and courage, which was how he lived his life.

Clyde was born September 9, 1929 in Fairfield, NE, to Cecil and Frances (Sigman) McCue. He was third in the family of five children. In 1933, the family moved to Martin, SD and farmed west of town. Clyde graduated from Bennett County High School in 1947 and joined the US Army Air Corps. Transitioning to the USAF, he served as a Small Arms Instructor and in the Air Police until his Honorable Discharge in 1950. He then returned to Martin.

Clyde married Shirley Pike in Martin on October 10, 1950. They had six children; Michala, Angela, Agnes, Clayton, Loren and Mark. He worked the family farm and at Dickinson's Implement, until joining the Pierre Police Department for a short time. In 1956 he was elected Bennett County Sheriff. At the time he was the youngest person ever elected as a Sheriff in South Dakota. He served as Sheriff until his appointment to the South Dakota Highway Patrol in 1961. The family had many moves over the next 20 years, serving at posts in Sturgis, De Smet and Deadwood, returning to Martin until his retirement in 1981.

Clyde and Shirley operated McQ Enterprises in Martin and Clyde was elected as a Bennett County Commissioner, serving a number of terms.

They later moved to Pierre, where Clyde worked security at the State Capital and served as a bus driver for special needs children. They eventually retired to Spearfish, operating Orchard Creek Cottages for a few years before retiring for good.

Clyde always loved to share stories of his life on the family farm in the 30's and 40's. His love for history, geography and coin collecting was passed on to his children and grandchildren at every opportunity. He also loved crossword puzzles, pinochle and cribbage. He was an avid golfer in his younger years.

Clyde is survived by his wife, Shirley of Spearfish, daughter, Michala of Onida, son, Loren of Fort Pierre, son, Mark and his wife Martha of Spearfish, son-in-law, Rob Huntley of Onida and daughter -in-law, Karen of Pierre, ten grandchildren; Wade, Jolie, Billy Clyde, Erin, Scott, Matt, Holly, Kenan, Samuel and Sara and seven great-grandchildren; Trinity, Gracie, Ashlynn, Harper, Brennen, Cameron and Tristan. Clyde is also survived by one sister, Bonnie McCue, one brother, Clark and his wife Shirley McCue and sister-in-law, Jackie McCue all of Martin, as well as Pat McCue, Nadine Telford and Dennis Pike.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Wayne and Harold McCue, infant daughter, Agnes Helen, son, Clayton, son-in-law, Chris Huse and daughter, Angela Huntley.

He also leaves many special friends, Bob Pitch, Darrel Brown, Soup Chambers, classmates from Bennett County High and his South Dakota Highway Patrol brothers.

Memorial Services for Clyde will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, November 12 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Inurnment will follow at 2:30 PM, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish. Online condolences may be left at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com