Dr. James Edward "Jim" McCleaf Sr.

Dr. James (Jim) Edward McCleaf Sr., 90, of Leonardtown, Maryland passed away November 19, 2025 surrounded by his loving family.

Born on June 10, 1935 in York, Pennsylvania, he was the cherished son of the late Donald and Beatrice McCleaf.

Jim's life work included 50 years of educational service in both St. Mary's and Charles County. He was loved by both his co-workers and students until his retirement in 2005 at the young age of 70. His thirst for knowledge drove his desire to always learn new things. He received his Doctorate in Education from the University of Maryland after obtaining a Bachelor of Science from Mount St. Mary's college followed shortly thereafter a Master's in Counselling from Boston University. Later in life he learned welding, marine engine repair, photography and sign language just to name a few.

Jim was an Army Veteran having served as a Private First Class, Medical Company, 115th Infantry, MD ARNG.

Janice (Jay) his wife for 65 years until her death in 2023 was his love and devotion. Jay and Jim traveled the world together. It is no exaggeration to list the number of cruises in the thirties. Their trips included stops in Europe, South America, Alaska, Hawaii and Asia where they walked the Great Wall of China together. Many of their adventures included stays in Elder Hostiles much to the angst of their children.

Jim's Catholic faith was his bedrock. He was an active parishioner at St. Aloysius in Leonardtown until later in life where he attended Our Lady Star of the Sea in Solomons. Jim's charitable volunteering included The Marcy House of St. Mary's, The Hospice House of St. Mary's and St. Aloysius Church's feeding the hungry. Early in his counseling career Jim spearheaded a crisis hotline program called Toe Hold for which he was awarded the "St. Mary's County Volunteer of the Year". He also taught Reading to inmates in the St. Mary's County jail.

Jim is survived by his children Kelly Karwacki (Dan) of Vally Lee, MD, James Edward McCleaf Jr. (Judy) of Baltimore, MD, Kevin Patrick McCleaf (Phyllis) of Holmes Beach, FL, Timothy Michael McCleaf (Karen) of Hollywood, MD, Teri McCleaf (Mark Bottorf) of Hollywood, MD, and Sean W. McCleaf of Chaptico, MD, twenty-two grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren.

Along with his parents and wife, Jim is preceded in death by his granddaughter Chelsea Yeager and his siblings, Janice Robins and Donald McCleaf.

Family will receive friends for a Memorial Gathering on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 from 10:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 22800 Washington Street Leonardtown, MD 20650, with a Mass of Christian burial starting at 11:00a.m. A reception will follow in the St. Aloysius church hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice House of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The family would also like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Leonardtown Garvey Senior Center for providing fellowship and friendship for our father after our mother's passing.

Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.