John Clinton Cleckler

John Clinton Cleckler of Odessa, Texas, passed away on Sunday, September 3, 2023, at the age of 87. He was born on October 29, 1935, in Abilene, Texas, where he grew up and attended Abilene High School.

In 1958, John joined the Army and served in Berlin post World War II. He used to brag that he took the same ship over to Germany that Elvis Presley was on (although not at the same time). While serving in Germany, he met Ellinor Krueger in October 1959. John was a man who knew what he wanted, and he wasted no time making Ellinor his wife. They were married December 29, 1959, in Berlin, Germany. In August 1960, John and Ellinor, along with their daughter Cornelia (Connie), returned to Abilene, Texas, where he worked as a mechanic. In 1964, John was called back to duty through the Reserves and was assigned to Fort Polk in Louisiana. They would share stories of living in DeRidder, Louisiana in a small house with no indoor plumbing and having to use an outhouse.

In June 1965, their second daughter, Christina, was born. Shortly after, the family moved to Odessa, Texas, where John began working at Sewell Ford. He later would work at Cottingham Bearing and Bearings, Incorporated. John and Ellinor enjoyed traveling in their motorhome and were members of Oil City Sams RV Club. They traveled back to Germany as well a few times before Ellinor passed away in March of 1998, after being married 37 years.

John was extremely lonely, and we believe that God knew that he wasn’t going to make it being alone for very long. John met Ruth Lippe Atkins through mutual friends in May 1998. As mentioned before, he was a man who knew what he wanted. He asked for Ruth’s hand in marriage and Ruth expressed that they needed to wait until the following year after Ellinor passed. John then exclaimed, “How about January 1? A new year and a new life!”

John and Ruth enjoyed traveling as well with their camper and made many trips including Lake Brownwood where John enjoyed fishing or playing poker with his brother Noel and daughter Cornelia and whoever else was foolish enough to join in. They went several times to Branson, Missouri, as well as many other trips visiting Ruth’s extended family in Minnesota, Kansas, Arizona, Colorado, and all across Texas.

John has been very active in church duties at Redeemer Lutheran Church, including serving as head of the Braille Ministry.

John was a man of many talents. He became extremely skillful with woodworking. He would make beautiful, intricate cutting boards, candlestick holders, wooden pens, clocks, etc. John also made jewelry. He started polishing stones and making bolo neckties, belt buckles, or other jewelry. He later bought a faceting machine, which would allow him to cut stones into intricate patterns, like you see with diamonds. He even had a cut that would make a star pattern. Doing these hobbies took a great deal of patience and precision, which sadly he would be unable to continue once he developed Parkinson’s disease.

John is preceded in death by his mother, Lucille Cleckler; father, Buel Oliver Cleckler; siblings, Aubrey Cleckler, Noel Cleckler, Aleeta Lang; wife, Ellinor Cleckler; son-in-law, Greg DeLongchamp; grandson, Trevor DeLongchamp.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Cleckler; daughters Cornelia (Connie) Noland and Christina Lother; son-in-law Stacy Noland; son-in-law to be, Troy Pearson; grandchildren, Ryan DeLongchamp, Kelsey Harley, Robbie Noland, Colby Noland, Cassidy Pen, Brianna Lother; granddaughter-in-law Samantha DeLongchamp, grandson-in-law Jereth Harley; and seven great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Odessa, especially Sara, Erika and Zelda, for the care and compassion they showed our loved one in his final days, as well as the Medical Center of Odessa.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 824 E. 18th Street, Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 8, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to Hospice of Odessa.

John Clinton Cleckler, age 87, of Odessa, Texas passed away on Sunday, September 3, 2023.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.frankwwilson.com for the Cleckler family.