1924
James
2016
James Glen Cleckler
November 10, 1924 — October 6, 2016
On Tuesday, October 6, 2016, James Glen “Doc” Cleckler was welcomed home by God. He was 91. His passing is a profound loss to his family, friends, and many teachers and students.
He was born November 10, 1924 in Roscoe, Texas near Sweetwater. His parents moved to Weslaco when he was less than one year old to farm on irrigated land. The family lived in a tent until their house could be built. He attended Weslaco schools until an early high school graduation was held for the purpose of joining the military in January 1943. After serving three years in the Marine Core during W.W.II and surviving Iwo Jima, he attended and graduated from Southwest Texas Teacher’s College with a degree in Physical Education and later a Masters Degree in School Administration from Texas A & I Kingsville.
Mr. Cleckler served as a coach and Assistant Principal at Harlingen High School, Principal at Vernon Junior High, and Principal at Alamo 9th Grade. He retired in the summer of 1987. Mr. Cleckler was highly respected for his unique ability to handle the unpredictable teenage student.
He is preceded in death by a grandson, Mark Burkholdrer; his parents; Harvey and Mary Cleckler; brothers Doyce, Harvey Jr., and Ray Cleckler; and sisters Lila Bales and Mary Sue Brogden.
He is survived by his wife JoAnn, daughter, Jane (Jim) Burkholder, sons, Sam and Jeff (Tammy) Cleckler, and grandsons John Burkholder and Thomas Cleckler. He is also survived by his sister, Katherine (Walter) Bywaters and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Sunday, October 9, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held Monday, October 10 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Loaves and Fishes of RGV, or First United Methodist Church.
He was born November 10, 1924 in Roscoe, Texas near Sweetwater. His parents moved to Weslaco when he was less than one year old to farm on irrigated land. The family lived in a tent until their house could be built. He attended Weslaco schools until an early high school graduation was held for the purpose of joining the military in January 1943. After serving three years in the Marine Core during W.W.II and surviving Iwo Jima, he attended and graduated from Southwest Texas Teacher’s College with a degree in Physical Education and later a Masters Degree in School Administration from Texas A & I Kingsville.
Mr. Cleckler served as a coach and Assistant Principal at Harlingen High School, Principal at Vernon Junior High, and Principal at Alamo 9th Grade. He retired in the summer of 1987. Mr. Cleckler was highly respected for his unique ability to handle the unpredictable teenage student.
He is preceded in death by a grandson, Mark Burkholdrer; his parents; Harvey and Mary Cleckler; brothers Doyce, Harvey Jr., and Ray Cleckler; and sisters Lila Bales and Mary Sue Brogden.
He is survived by his wife JoAnn, daughter, Jane (Jim) Burkholder, sons, Sam and Jeff (Tammy) Cleckler, and grandsons John Burkholder and Thomas Cleckler. He is also survived by his sister, Katherine (Walter) Bywaters and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Sunday, October 9, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held Monday, October 10 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Loaves and Fishes of RGV, or First United Methodist Church.
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