David Owen Cleaver

David Owen Cleaver, 79 of Canton, husband of Kathy (Hopke) Cleaver, died Wednesday, December 7, 2022, peacefully and at home in his favorite chair. He was born June 7, 1943 in Dayton, OH, son of the late Robert S. and Lillian C. (Wilson) Cleaver. Dave was a graduate of Indiana University, Class of '66, having received his Bachelor's Degree in Advertising and Marketing.

More importantly, he was married to his soulmate, Kathy Cleaver, for 59 years and is survived by his sons, Bill Cleaver and wife Lisa of Glen Ellyn, IL and Bob Cleaver and wife Ursula of Burlington, CT, and his grandchildren, Jackson, Kyle, Lauren, and Annie.

Visitation will be held at the Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Turnpike in Canton on January 6th, 2023 from 3 PM to 6 PM. Dress is Casual. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Make-A-Wish, 56 Commerce Drive, Trumbull, CT 06611 - https://wish.org/ct. Please visit David's Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.

Dave will be remembered by those who knew him for several reasons.

He was a Storyteller. Whether at work or at home, Dave was a master communicator. For 34+ years, he helped General Electric (GE) tell its story to its clients as the VP of Marketing for the Industrial Controls business. More importantly, he loved to write. He was an avid and talented poet; an example is below. He wrote a few self-help books and had been working on a series of Children's Mystery books. His ability to convey a complex concept in an efficient and concise manner was a talent we all admired.

He was a husband, father and grandfather. Married to his high school sweetheart, Kathy Cleaver, for 59 years, he was the quintessential family man. Since "work/life balance" wasn't a concept in the 60s, 70s and 80s, Dave succeeded by creating his own definition. As a husband, he and Kathy set the bar extremely high as to what a successful marriage, partnership, and union is meant to look like. To his sons, he was always there. Participating and providing advice, support and guidance when needed. As grandfather to Jackson, Kyle, Lauren, and Annie he was an advisor, role-model and very proud grandpa to them. His legacy to them will be a lasting memory of love, pride, respect, and so much more.

He was a listener. As many of you know, he was a great listener and supporter. Whether friend or family, he helped many of us by just listening and then offering well-reasoned and thought-out advice. He was a father figure, mentor and sounding board to so many people.

He had a deep faith. His faith was a touchstone for how he wanted to live his life. He didn't push his beliefs or his religion on anyone, but rather he used it to help him be the best person he could be. His Faith poem is below.

He will be missed. The opening line from his favorite poem, which he carried with him every day, reads "Live each day to the fullest. Get the most from each hour, each day and at each age of your life." We believe he did just that.

FAITH IS

FAITH IS the blind trust we have in a higher purpose, the belief in an immortal deity.

FAITH IS the element that helps us persevere, when common sense tells us we are weary.

FAITH IS the concept we use to help rationalize the "unfair", allowing us to meet the next challenge.

FAITH IS the fuel for our religious convictions, knowing, without fact, a better day awaits us.

FAITH IS the technique we mortals employ to withstand periods of doubt and fear.

FAITH IS the tool that gets us through our darkest hours, simply because "we have FAITH".



David O. Cleaver

12/13/91