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Cleve Jarnagin Obituary
Jan. 28, 1952 - June 21, 2013
Resident of San Jose
Cleve passed away on Friday June 21st after a month long battle in the ICU with congestive heart failure. He was born in Stockton in 1952 to Clive and Corrinne Jarnagin. Cleve loved music and taught himself to play the guitar by listening to rock and roll records. In 1974, he moved to San Jose and started a band, first called "Warm Light" and then "Sidereal Gate", that lasted 10 years and made great music and produced life-long friends. Cleve was a great and very original songwriter who never compromised his musical vision in search of commercial success. In addition, he had a rare ability to figure out how to play a song just by listening to it. His last public performance was in the Reality Revue concert in downtown San Jose in September 2011.
To pay the bills, Cleve worked in the City of San Jose's Parking Compliance Unit for over 24 years, primarily in vehicle abatement. He retired in February of this year and was hoping to do some more performing with his musician friends. Cleve was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Sharalyn Sharp and is survived by his brother Vance Jarnagin of Stockton and a host of friends who will greatly miss his quick wit and dry sense of humor.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate Cleve's life on Saturday June 29th at 5 pm at Darling-Fischer's Campbell Memorial Chapel, 231 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell, CA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Cleve Jarnagin
Sponsored by Cleve's Poker Parlor.
June 22, 2020
You are still missed buddy. Cannot believe it has been 7 years. Cheers mate.
Oscar Carrillo
June 27, 2019
Miss you man. If there is a god just whisper in my ear. Never mind man I'll just listen to your tunes.
Bruce Collins
September 2, 2014
I worked with Cleve at a parking garage in the late 80s. Every once in a while, I would think of Cleve because he was very funny and a very nice person. I remember he loved music but didn't realize that he played guitar. I am fortunate to have met Cleve.
Phil Prince
January 28, 2014
Today would have been Cleve's 62nd birthday. It's hard to know what to say about a guy who was my closest friend for 39 years. he was one of the kindest, funniest, and most talented people I've ever met. You can find his memorial slideshow on YouTube and some of his songs on Soundcloud by searching "Cleve Jarnagin" on those sites. I've also set up a Facebook musician page for Cleve at https://www.facebook.com/CleveJarnagin I will post links to audio and video clips of Cleve's performances on the FB page as I get them converted to digital formats. Rest in Peace Cleve.
Manuel Guido
September 24, 2013
cleve, you are are going to be missed.I do remember hearing you do stairway to heaven.until I join with our Father,you are loved.
Howard Wanner
September 22, 2013
I was deeply saddened to here of Cleve's passing. He was an old friend and a good friend. We had a lot of good times together growing up, and when I think of Cleve I will smile.
L Lavagnino
September 22, 2013
Condolences to Cleve's family and to all us that knew him.
You were a dear friend, calm, cool and patient at a time when we were more rumbustious teenagers.
Clevie - FOREVER IN MY HEART - At Terry and Barb's wedding 1974
Barb Jorgensen
September 22, 2013
Barb Jorgensen
September 22, 2013
So sorry to not have connected wih you over the years. We had some awesome times and some very quiet ones hanging out in your bedroom while you knitted mittens. You will forever be in my heart. I love you Clevie!
Lloyd Logan
September 21, 2013
Cleve,hadn't seen you for sometime but will never forget 8th grade....you were the comedy king (Cosby, Cheech and Chong) and many many more. Your life was as beautiful as your music and you'll in my heart and mind forever! Rest in peace Music Man !!
Terry Novinger
September 21, 2013
Cleve....you were a great friend. We shared the love of music. I remember you showing me how to play "Stairway To Heaven". We had some good times in our band Baroque as well as growing up together. You will live on through your beautiful music. I still have those old recordings and listen to them from time to time. You were a very special person in my life. I am blessed to have known you. Rock on brother!!
September 21, 2013
it is a sad day for me to hear of the passing of my childhood friend cleve I remember playing guitar with him in our early years god bless you my friend, and your family during this sad time you were a very important part of my childhood.
Tony Bryson
Susie Hanway-OLeary
September 21, 2013
A dear friend and talented musician. Hiking, laughing, singing. Thank you for your exquisite kindness in some of my darkest days.
September 21, 2013
From Kindergarten to High School graduation, Cleve was a great friend and talented artist. I will miss you my old friend. Rest in Peace and God bless you. Henry Magby
July 10, 2013
Diane Burgess
July 10, 2013
I am glad you had wonderful friends!I'm crying.
Reality Revue Concert 2011
July 2, 2013
Cleve's Poker Parlor
July 2, 2013
With Sidereal Gate at Keystone Palo Alto early 80s
July 2, 2013
Cleve at Paseo de San Antonio in San Jose
July 2, 2013
Cleve and Phil at San Jose Civic 1977
July 2, 2013
Warm Light: Phil, Victor, Rich and Cleve
July 2, 2013
Cleve, Dad and Vance
July 2, 2013
Young Cleve
July 2, 2013
serena mccurdy
July 2, 2013
Uncle Cleve, I'm sorry we didn't stay in touch as often as we could have. I will love and miss you always and remember all our times together when I was little girl. you always came over and made us laugh and you would play your music and we would dance and you always had a way with us to make us feel special. I'm so going to miss you even though we didn't talk all the time or as close as we could have been, but always thought about you and kept you close in my heart. You will be missed Love always your niece Serena
Oscar Carrillo
June 29, 2013
Cleve,
Thank you for the memories. Will miss the wild poker nights, philosphical discussions, and conversations about comedy.
Your wit, humor and music will be missed and I will cherish the movies and music you gave me.
You now leave us, officially, as THE Master (vehicle) Abater :-)
Cheers brother.
June 29, 2013
Thank you Cleve, for all your many years of hard work and service to the City of San Jose, and for all the times you went above and beyond assisting the officers and dispatchers. It was always my pleasure to work with you on my channel. Rest in peace gentle spirit. Deborah Norling
Corrinne Jensen
June 28, 2013
Uncle Cleve, I really wish we could of spent more time together but am thankful for the times we did have, I will cherish those memories. I loved listening to your music when I was a little girl, you were so very talented. And I'll never forget you wearing mismatched shoes. You will be missed uncle, love you always and forever.
Joe Celio
June 28, 2013
Cleve,
Your sence of humor always kept me on my toes, never knowing if I should laugh or be offended...almost all the time I would be laughing.
Keep playing
Debbie Morales
June 28, 2013
Cleve thanks for the memories. It was a pleasure working with you as your supervisor at the parking unit. Your great sense of dry humor is something I will never forget; thanks for the laughs & you will make a great Angel.
Roger Dellinger
June 28, 2013
Your work ethic was awesome. Your humour was the "best" ever! I was happy to hear you retired, then saddened to hear you left us. You will be missed my friend.
Sidereal Gate at the Keystone Palo Alto
Victor Krag
June 28, 2013
We are going to miss you Cleve. I think that perhaps the reality of your leaving this world hasn't yet settled with me. I'm very much going to miss the history of our friendship and playing music, the stories, the ideas, poker nights, songs that we'll not be able to play again without your guitar parts, but most of all your humor and view on life.
Lisa Ochoa
June 28, 2013
Cleve, Thank your for the friendship and the REALLY great laughs over the years. I so enjoyed it. We were all very blessed to have you and it is with great sadness I say goodbye. You were such a beautiful person. <3
June 28, 2013
Cleve, I'm going to miss you, brother
Steve Dodson
Lois Moler
June 28, 2013
Dear Cleve, We shared work for such along time and also loved your sense of humor. I was always hoping you would make it up here to Valley Springs and see what us girls made of ourselves. Will keep you in my prayers and save a place for me.Love Lois Moler
Bill "Jaco" Brisko
June 27, 2013
Cleve, Rock and Roll forever!
curtis Riley
June 27, 2013
Hey Cleve, you were one hell of a guy. I still have that tape of your songs you gave to me. I will cherish it all the more. Rock on Cleve.
Lyn Romano
June 27, 2013
You will be missed Cleve - so many wonderful memories and laughs. You always kept us on our toes (pun intended) - your humor was definitely one-of-a-kind and your music will live on forever.
Richard Hayes
June 27, 2013
Cleve's gift was his music and for his friends his song continues on in our hearts and in our souls. RIP my dear friend Cleve, your friends love and miss you.
Cynthia Perez
June 27, 2013
Cleve, I am so sad to here of your passing. You were such wonderful person and I had a wonderful opportunity to know you and work with you. I remember your wonderful dry humor and how you liked to drink milk all the time with your lunch.When we worked out in Nora district together you always lent me a helping hand with my 22500's. When I needed your wisdom and knowledge you were there. Whenever we had unit meetings or training and your hand would go up to ask a question, we always new it would be something so damn funny. I will miss you my friend, I am glad that God brought such a wonderful human being like you in my life. Rest in Peace Cleve
Tammy Church
June 26, 2013
Thanks for all the laughs and the jokes I continually fell for while I got to work with you !!! I have missed it and will !! Peace be with you
Darling Fischer Memorial Chapel
June 26, 2013
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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Darling & Fischer Campbell Memorial Chapel - Campbell231 East Campbell Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008
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