James Cleveland

1932 - 2021

July 10, 1932 - Oct. 1, 2021

James Clinton Cleveland, 89, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Friday, October 1, 2021 at Heritage Court Memory Care in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He was born on July 10, 1932 in Badger, Iowa to Canute and Josephine (Larson) Cleveland. He was a Charter Member of The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and attended First Lutheran Church in Torrance before moving to Eau Claire in August 2020.

James graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1951 earning the nickname "Lefty" as their Dodgers southpaw starting pitcher and also sang in the A Capella Choir. Right out of high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy. After six months of training in Sonar, he was assigned to the Naval Destroyer USS De Haven DD-727 serving in the Korean War. He loved to share stories from his time in the Navy with a twinkle in his eye. After his honorable discharge in 1955, he married Evelyn M. Johnson June 10, 1956 at Evanger Lutheran Church in rural Independence, Wisconsin. They began their life in California, living in Torrance for over 60 years and celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary this year. James retired from TRW, Inc. in 1994. He enjoyed singing in the church choir, garage sales, visits to Torrance Bakery, Chart House and Sons of Norway Dinners. He enjoyed telling stories and jokes.....especially Sven and Ole jokes. He was so proud of his Norwegian heritage.

He is survived by his wife Evelyn; two daughters, Julie (Calvin) Arnould, Wendy (Brian) Smith, son James (Diana) Cleveland; six grandchildren, Rachel (Jacob) Pidek, Stephanie (Benaiah) Stanley, Logan and Heather Smith, Trent Baskin, Bryce (Faith) Baskin; seven great-grandchildren, Jarred Thompson, Evelyn, Josephine and Gideon Pidek, Freya Stanley, Rev Baskin, Brinlee Baskin and many nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Albertis, Richard (Maxine), Robert (Esther), sister, Evelyn (Kenneth) Mandsager and granddaughter Jillian Arnould.

Services and burial with military rites will be held at Evanger Lutheran Church in rural Independence, Wisconsin on October 10, 2021. EDISON FUNERAL HOME Independence, Wisconsin 54747 715-985-3615