James "Jay" Cleckner

FUNERAL HOME

Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery

401 North Hayden Road

Scottsdale, Arizona

James Cleckner Obituary

Cleckner, James "Jay"
passed away on August 30, 2011 in Chandler, Arizona. He is survived by his sister Mary Salzwimmer and 10 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Al Fred and Wanda Cleckner, brothers Robert and Al Francis and a brother in law Joseph Salzwimmer. He was a teacher in Scottsdale, Arizona and a teacher and administrator in Oakland California where he also worked with IBM's "Right to Read" program. A Retired Major in the US Army he served in the Korean War and was in the Arizona National Guard. Mr. Cleckner was involved in the Boy Scouts of America as a Regional Supervisor for Northwest Arizona. Funeral Services will be on Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 9:30 am in the Green Acres Chapel of Light, 401 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, AZ. www.GreenAcresMortuary.com.

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Published by The Arizona Republic on Sep. 2, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for James Cleckner

14 Entries

john sheafe

November 8, 2011

I deely regret that I have not talked with Jay in years. I was touched by his humor, insight and compassion as he mentored me while we became friends as I fixed his Chrysler at my body shop in Oakland. He was a dear friend and I will remember him and use his life as an example to live by. Jay Cleckner I love you and miss you.
You touched my life in such a positive way. In your memory I will strive to pay it forward and make a positve difference in the lives I touch.....beginning with my son and daughter. Good bye James. Thank you for serving humanity and being you.
John Sheafe
The Sea Ranch, Ca 95497

Jay Curlee

October 7, 2011

He was one of the most important teachers I had. J. Curlee

Yvonne Wilson

September 13, 2011

He was my 6th grade teacher... he was a wonderful teacher and person. Will always remember him. Yvonne Peterson Wilson (Oakland, CA)

Bill Miller

September 11, 2011

Jay my beloved cousin. A man of commendable dedication and love to family and who honored our Great Nation with his relentless service. Your delightful stories over the years about your Uncle Bill Miller, my father and the Cleckner family was inspiring. I will never forget your kindness of a short letter to me while serving in Vietnam 1965 - 1968, "Bill, Have a beer on me and thank you for your service" Jay" Enclosed was a $1.00 bill. That was the only thank you note I received while serving 21-months in Vietnam and 4-years in the Navy. Your occasional phone calls to check-up on Mom and Dad (Donna and Bill Miller)in their later years always came from the heart with concern. You were highly thought of by them. I say with great sorrow I will miss you and have missed our conversions over the last few years. Jay without question you were one of the very few men who will always impact the thoughts and hearts of those you came in contact spreading genuine friendship and unselfish family devotion. Humanity is a better place with your time on earth. To cousin Mary THANK YOU for your unselfish love and dedication to your brother. As you told me "holding Jay's hand, he knew you were there by his side and provided his daily comfort". God bless you Mary and the Cleckner family. Jay will be missed greatly.

gary yee

September 9, 2011

I worked with Jay at Franklin Year Round School in Oakland during the 1980s. We spent many hours together in school and out of school, especially at parties and gatherings at his home. I will remember his comment, when asked about how he was: his response: "always fine!"

Cheri Holman Jarvis

September 5, 2011

I was so sorry to hear of Mr. Cleckner's passing. He was one of my favorite teachers at Coronado High School. He made every class an adventure that you did not want to miss. I am so grateful that I had the experience of knowing him and learning from him. I am so thankful that he shared so much of himself with others. While I am positive he will be greatly missed, I know he will not be forgotten.

Wendi Cleckner

September 5, 2011

Today I honor one of the most amazing, wise and deliciously fun human that I proudly call Uncle. His life was full and rich. Every moment grasped. He taught me the love of travel and to take every opportunity to see other cultures. He helped cultivate a passion for education and to never stop learning. I love you Uncle Jay. You left your mark all over the globe, but none as deep as my heart.

Karen Lewis/Caldwell

September 3, 2011

Smilin Jay class of 66 loved you! God Bless family and friends. Mr. Cleckner was a wonderful teacher and an even better man. Rest in Peace

Christina Martinez

September 3, 2011

Jay Cleckner was my history teacher at Coronado High School back in the late 60's. He was one of my favorite high school teachers, and I was sorry to hear of his death. It is strange that I was thinking about him just the other day. He was a very good teacher, and I'm glad I knew him.

September 3, 2011

I called him Mr. Cleckner because he was my teacher! Over these many years I have often thought about him. I was just an ordinary student, but I remember looking forward to his class. His classroom had an energy and excitement that I still recall. He'd go off subject and take you on a journey with one of his stories of travel, which was the true learning lesson. I loved that sense of adventure and know he influenced my life and instilled a desire to travel and to experience more of this big wide world. Thank you Mr. Cleckner! (Candis)

Robert Cleckner

September 2, 2011

Uncle Jay,
You will be missed by many for you touched so many through scouts, education and the military. We are all better humans because you passed through our lives and left a little of you in all of us.
Thank-you for the many great memories I have of our times together from the house on Alta Vista to the one on Cameron. Thank-you for the memories you helped shape in my two kids. You will never know how much you meant to them.
Your words of wisdom and mentoring helped me to be the educator and man I am today. You were an inspiration to me to become interested in education and especially political science. Our great discussions on politics and religion forever remain in me.( You a democrat and I the Republican)Heated sometimes but we always came out better persons.
I will miss your zeal for life, your obsessed desire to serve mankind and your love for family. The one thing I know you missed and wished you had was your own family. Our families became yours in every since of the word.
The saying on your tombstone will read "Thank-you for your service to our country and its youth. Your legacy was always to live each day to the fullest while watching for those who were in need. I pray that we can take the legacy forward.
I will see you in heaven where I to can be with our other loved ones as you are hopefully doing at this time. God bless you, family and friends.
I want to thank Aunt Mary for her unconditional love and her unselfish, steadfast care for her brother even to the detriment of her health. There was never a day in the past 7 years that she was not there. On those days she could not be there she made sure someone was. She demonstrated through her actions the Christian love and care that we all should aspire to. Thank-you Aunt Mary.

Robert Cleckner

September 1, 2011

ken cleckner

September 1, 2011

to my uncle jay Today I looked into the sky and it was beautiful. I then realized it's because you are there. You fly with the angels now but part of you will always be with us

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