Vincent Norris Cleek

1935 - 2023

VINCENT NORRIS CLEEK Vincent Norris Cleek died peacefully on September 21, 2023. He was born in Orland, CA on July 26, 1935, at home (on the family kitchen table!) to Norris and Helen Cleek. Vince grew up in Orland on the Cleek Family Ranch. The Cleek's were early pioneers in the area, having homesteaded in 1850 and purchased the ranch in 1864. Vince graduated from Orland High School and went to Shasta Junior College where he ran track. He then graduated from Chico State with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Industrial Arts. Vince's first teaching position was in Orland at CK Price Junior High School where he taught woodshop, math and PE. He soon met fellow new teacher and future bride, Ellen Nunamaker, who taught at Orland High School. They were married for 63 years. When the school day was done, Vince also tirelessly managed the Cleek Family Ranch, cultivating almonds, walnuts, olives and oranges. He retired from CK Price in 1992 and after 32 years teaching thousands of students woodworking, he finally took up woodturning as his own full time hobby. As a 'gentleman woodturner', he focused on crafting beautiful bowls and pens, many made of walnut and olive wood from the Cleek Ranch. He won many blue ribbons at the Glenn County Fair. Few visitors who stopped by the house left without a pen! By 2023, Vince had one of his pens residing in every US state and 30+ countries with many friends and relatives around the globe. Preceding him in death were his parents, Norris & Helen Cleek, and his sister, Joan Cleek Preston. Vince is survived by his wife Ellen, daughter Cathy Cleek, daughter Julie Shea (husband Greg, grandson Lonnie (wife Melissa, great-grand daughters Nora and Molly), granddaughter Karen Massa (husband Steven) and granddaughter Megan Shea) and son Todd Cleek (wife Tammy, grandchildren Charis, David and Jonathan), and brothers Jerry and Eugene "Pokey" (wife Laurel). He was dearly loved and will be missed by us all. If you are so inclined, memorial contributions in Vince's memory can be made to: Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association at cmtausa.org (http://cmtausa.org) A family celebration of life in Vince's honor will be held at a later date.