Peter DeCleva

Peter DeCleva was born in Dallas at St. Paul Hospital on February 5, 1964, and died May 7, 2024. He attended Culver Military Academy and graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1982. He later obtained an undergraduate degree in business from the University of North Texas together with his real estate broker’s license. In 1983, Peter was involved in a car accident which left him paralyzed without the use of his legs. As a paraplegic, he became very active in wheelchair tennis, wheelchair marathon events, as well as hunting, fishing, and boating. Peter was on the Board of Directors of Turning POINT, an organization which helps the physically challenged access hunting and fishing activities in Texas and other wilderness areas in the United States.

In 1994, Peter married Kathiann Leake and together they had two daughters, Jane and Frances DeCleva. Peter never ceased to dote on his girls and follow their successes. Peter amazed everyone with his quick humor and fun-loving ways. He loved music, Rush being one group he liked to listen to loud. Although Peter’s health began to decline over the last five years, he never let up on his ideas about hunting, fishing, chasing his real estate dreams, and being an attentive father to his daughters.

Peter is survived by his former wife, Kathiann; daughter, Jane Sears and husband, Coleman; daughter, Frances DeCleva; brother, Paul DeCleva, Jr. and wife, Eva; sister, Sophia DeCleva; sister, Clare Hammer and husband, Dave and their daughter, Catherine; sister, Elise DeCleva. The DeCleva family wishes to thank all of Peter’s health care providers through the years and his wonderful friends who always stayed in touch with him and helped in times of need.

Finally, the family wants to give a high honorable mention to the departed Simba, Peter’s Golden Retriever, who will now comfort him in Heaven.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. with a Rosary at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 20; Funeral Mass to begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 21, both at St. Monica Church, 9933 Midway Road, Dallas, TX 75220. A private graveside service will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Monica Catholic Church, 9933 Midway Road, Dallas, TX 75220, www.stmonicachurch.org/donate or Turning POINT (Paraplegics on Independent Nature Trips), 403 Pacific Avenue, Terrell, TX 75160, www.turningpointnation.org.