Richard Cleek

1947 - 2024

Richard Cleek

May 27, 1947 - July 3, 2024

Richard was born May 27, 1947, in Bonne Terre, Missouri. He was predeceased by his parents Darwin Elliott Cleek and Kathryn McGuire Cleek and by his brother, David Elliott Cleek. He is survived by his beautiful wife of 15 years, Jeannie, and his two sons, Ryan Alexander Cleek of Livermore, CA, and Colin Richard Cleek of Rockport, TX. He is also survived by his sister, Marsha Carolyn Cleek Roe of Cabot, AR, and by his lifelong friend, Otis T. Mitchell, Jr. of Bozeman, MT.

Richard graduated from Kennett High School in Kennett, MO, where he played on the high school baseball and basketball teams and was an active participant in mixed chorus and mixed ensemble vocal groups. During his high school years, Richard played 5-string banjo in a folk music group (The Minstrels) that won numerous talent shows in the mid-south. They also were given the opportunity to endure a 24-hour bus trip from Kennett to New York City to audition for The Ted Mack Amateur Hour. They passed the audition and eventually won the competition and were then flown to Chicago to tape a second show.

Richard's legacy extends beyond his two sons, Ryan and Colin, to the hundreds of boys and young men he introduced to the games of baseball and basketball in the 1980's and 1990's as a coach. He found youth coaching to be extremely rewarding, and while he never bragged about it, his teams won a lot more games than they lost. He will be remembered for the life lessons he taught through sport, for his empathetic and patient approach to teaching, for his knowledge of baseball and basketball, and for the trophies many of his former players still have on their shelves today.

Richard graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southeast Missouri State University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. Richard received a Master of Science degree in Physical Organic Chemistry from Purdue University in 1971. After attending law school at the University of Missouri Kansas City, he started his 30+ year career in the chemical industry, first as a research and development manager for Thiokol Dynachem in Tustin, CA. After leaving the laboratory, he became Director of Sales for PPG Industries in Gurnee, IL, National Sales Manager for BASF Corporation in Mt. Olive, NJ, President of the George Mann Co. in Providence, RI, and President of Norman, Fox and Co. in Los Angeles. He retired in 2013 after 8 years as General Manager of a fortune 500 human resources firm.

After retirement, he spent many wonderful days hiking with his beloved Golden Retriever, Dixie Belle. Dixie served as his furry alarm clock and newspaper delivery service and was a constant loving companion for 9 years. He also revived his long-dormant interest in the banjo and folk music by joining with his friends, Doug Peyronnet and Mike Beal, to form The Common Folk Trio. They enjoyed performing for the residents of numerous senior living facilities throughout the Richmond area. Richard loved fine wines, laughing with friends during a round of golf, and a quiet day of fishing for bass at Crabtree Lake with his friend Butch Martin. Thanks, George.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Burial will be at Rest Hills Memorial Park in North Little Rock, AR. In lieu of flowers, a donation to pancreatic cancer research is encouraged.