Glen "Lefty" E. Cleveland

A birth brings with it a certainty that at some place in time, there must also be a death.

ENTER/EXIT

Glen E. Cleveland entered the Cleveland family on the fourth of July, 1924, in Hollis, Oklahoma.  He was the fifth son of Byron and Georgeann Cleveland.  His brothers were Loyd, Clark, Tom and Wendell.

As soon as he established a hand preference, he was tagged with the nickname “Lefty” which stayed with him the rest of his life.

Lefty was the athlete of the family, loving all sports, but football was number one.  His football career started when he entered Junior High and he later became a Hollis Tiger in high school, playing alongside his childhood friend, Darrell Royal.  Their senior year, they were undefeated and known throughout the state of Oklahoma.  During the second semester of his senior year, he saw a poster “Uncle Sam Needs You.”  With permission from his parents, he answered the call and enlisted in the United States Marine Corp.  Lefty served as a turret gunner with the First Armored Amphibian Battalion.  He served in the Asiatic-Pacific area: Marshall Islands, Marianas Islands and Ryukyu Islands.  Lefty participated in action against the enemy on Kwajalein Atoll, Guam and Okinawa.  (Interesting fact: his monthly rate of pay when discharged was $54.00!)

His four brothers belonged to different branches of the service and each served overseas.  All five returned home to pick up where they left off.

Wanting to continue his education, Lefty visited Oklahoma University, but found it too large.  He found what he was looking for at Southwestern State in Weatherford, Oklahoma.  Lefty received a four year football scholarship and became left end for the Southwestern Bulldogs, doing what he had always dreamed, playing college football.

His teaching/coaching assignments were in Elk City and Hollis, Oklahoma; Lamesa and Abilene, Texas (Franklin Junior High and Abilene High).

Lefty was an Elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church and later was a member of Lytle South Baptist Church.

EXIT: On January 17, 2017, he joined his parents, brothers, member of the “best football team ever,” Marine buddies and many friends.  Lefty will be interred on Friday, March 3 ^rd , 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery.

Those who will miss him the most are his wife, Aline “Andy” Cleveland; sons, David Cleveland and wife Tami, Tony Cleveland and Kirk Cleveland; grandchildren Damiane McMillan and husband Jason, Cole Cleveland, Tiara Parker and husband Matt, Meygan Cleveland Dean, Canon Cavazos and husband Daniel and Caroline Cleveland; great-grands Sophee Dean, Anya and Mira McMillan and Tao Parker.

Special thanks to all employees of Hendrick Medical Center who entered Lefty’s room for any reason.  They touched all our lives with respect, dignity and compassion.

We are forever grateful to family friend Taylor Lunsford, Rev. Rodney Watson, Rev. T.C. Melton and Dr. Rae Ann Hamilton and her colleagues.

Lefty’s memory may be honored by a donation to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1651 Pine Street, Abilene, Texas 79601.

EXIT: “Lefty” Cleveland born on the 4 ^th of July.  Charter member of The Greatest Generation!

Semper Fi!