Cletus Joseph Longstreth

Cletus “Bud” Joseph Longstreth, age 81, passed away Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

Bud was born January 22, 1944, in Akron, Ohio, to Richard and Clara (Stalter) Longstreth. The second youngest of eleven children, he often reminisced about cross country summer vacations in the family sedan and the antics of growing up in a large family. After graduating from St. Matthew Parish School and East High School, he attended the University of Akron before honorably serving in Vietnam with the U.S. Army 6th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Driven by his entrepreneurial spirit and tenacious work ethic, he founded Bud’s Glass Co. in 1974 and took pride in serving the greater-Akron community for 45 years.

Bud was a colorful character. He was not afraid to take risks which led to him living a life full of adventures. These adventures translated into vibrant stories that he loved to share with family and friends. Many that knew him would agree that under his grizzled exterior was a generous spirit. Bud always made time for others, all while running a business and raising a family. He enjoyed serving as a member of Kiwanis International and found purpose as an AA sponsor, living sober for his last 41 years. Whether it was playing catch in the backyard, providing rides to ball tournaments for his children’s friends, staying up late to help with school projects or discreetly helping families with Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas shopping, Bud was always there when someone needed him. His greatest joy was raising his family and supporting his children in their endeavors, and he was never shy about showing his pride for them and their accomplishments.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Clara Longstreth, and siblings, Helen Baer, Dorothy Keathley, Marian Kern, and Jim, Jack, Ralph, and Fred Longstreth. He is survived by his son, Chad (Briana) Longstreth; daughters, Melissa Longstreth, Alicia (Don) Gaffney, Linsey (Garett) Jaco; grandchildren, Thomas, Andrew and Ryan Gaffney and Greylyn, Louis and Abraham Longstreth; brother, Bob Longstreth; sisters, Marie Langford and Edna Glinksy; and the mothers of his children, Denise Longstreth and Dawn Lang.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who cared for Bud in recent years, especially the compassionate doctors, nurses and care managers at the Akron VA Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital - particularly the CVICU team.

The family will receive friends and family from 4 to 7pm on Wednesday, November 19 at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Rd, Akron, OH 44312. A private memorial service will take place at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, a charity that was close to Bud’s heart.