Gerald L. Cleveland

Gerald Loyd Cleveland peacefully, passed away from this life to join his Lord and Savior on December 3, 2022. Gerald was born to C.B. Cleveland and Ezma Bartene Ingram, in Atlanta, Georgia on March 13, 1934. He had a happy childhood with his 4 siblings and learned carpentry and building from his father. His first job at 17 was working for Riches Department store learning key punch card systems. This was the start of his future career. He joined the Air Force after graduating high school and was stationed in Waco, Texas where the Air Force continued to train him on the beginnings of computers. It was during this time, that he met the love of his life, Ernestine “Teen” Buckner. They eloped on January 1, 1953 in Rome, Georgia. Gerald made Staff Sargent during his 13 years in the Air Force, and was stationed in Texas, the Pentagon, Alaska and Montana. During these years, Gerald and Teen were blessed to have two daughters, Debra and Lisa. After leaving the Air Force, he went into the Civil Service which he worked in for 26 years attaining the rank of a GS 13. Between 1962-1968 he worked in Oklahoma and Louisiana. The family moved to Colorado Springs in 1969, where Gerald worked many years as a computer specialist and security specialist at the Air Force Academy. He worked odd jobs after retiring, from doing tax preparation to driving fleet cars. After retiring he also enjoyed gardening and making stained glass art. Gerald and Teen were passionate about serving for the Lord. He became a Christian in 1965 and strived to share the Word with others. He taught new Christian classes, worked as a deacon in charge of Benevolence, worked tirelessly with the cadet ministry, studied with many people through the Open Bible Study and World Bible School, door knocked inviting people to church or study, and then in later years became the deacon in charge of the “Silver Saints”. Gerald strived to understand more about the Word by taking greek classes. He was a truly kind, gentle, servant. Gerald was proceeded in death by his parents C.B. And Bartene Cleveland; his wife of 61 years, Ernestine Cleveland; his daughter, Debra Stults (John) of Little Rock, Arkansas and his grandson, Nathaniel Schuyler ( Nichole) of Denver, Colorado and his sister Lucille McKenney (Edwin) of Georgia. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Schuyler (Gary) Colorado Springs, Colorado, his grandsons Ian Stults (Sara) Montgomery, Alabama, Brennan Stults (Lisa) of Keller, Texas and granddaughter, Hanna Schuyler of Colorado Springs, Colorado; along with 4 great granddaughters. He is also, survived by his siblings Genell Brooks (Bill) of Georgia, Mryl Williams(Ron) of Georgia and Curtis Cleveland of Pennsylvania. We will miss his teasing, his kindness, his southern gentleman manners and the light he was in this world. He will be forever missed and loved. A celebration of his life will be held at Mountain View church of Christ, 1080 LaSalle, Colorado Springs, CO, on December 14, at 10am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mountain View church of Christ.