May 10, 1938 – December 27, 2019
Colorado Springs, CO – Edward Cleveland Jr, 81, joined his beloved wife of 43 years, Beatrice Emiko Tanaka Cleveland, in Heaven on Friday afternoon, December 27, 2019.
He was born on a Navajo Indian Reservation in Ft. Defiance, AZ on May 10, 1938. He was the son of Edward (Sr) and Marita Holona Cleveland. He had two siblings, Mary Etta Cleveland Yazza and Herman Cleveland.
He spent most of his young life at St. Michaels Indian School. (Window Rock, AZ) He was mentored by Mr. Bill Goodall Sr. and their family, who were the groundskeepers of the school property. Mr. Goodall taught him practical woodworking, construction, and mechanic skills and encouraged him to join the Air Force upon graduation.
While he was stationed at Lowry Field in Denver, CO, he met his wife, Beatrice
“Bea” Tanaka. They married in 1961 and had three children: Alicia, Andrew and Anita.
During his 20-year military career, he worked as an OSI clerk during the Vietnam war and as an aircraft mechanic and maintenance flight-line supervisor. As an Air Force family they lived in California, Colorado and Maine and had many adventures experiencing life in a couple of different countries. (Taiwan, Japan).
In 1979 he retired from the Air Force and returned to Colorado Springs where he worked at: Sears Automotive, Lynmar Racquet Club and Bally Fitness.
He retired a second time from all his jobs in 2001, and moved with his wife, Bea, to live with their youngest daughter, Anita Cleveland Crouch and her family in Warner Robins, GA. After the death of his beloved wife in 2004, he remained living with Anita’s family until May 2017. He attended Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and would fellowship and participate with his grandchildren in AWANA activities at Bonaire First Baptist Church.
In 2017 he returned home to CO and into the care of his oldest daughter, Alicia Cleveland Flow (TX) and son, Andrew Cleveland (CO). He lived the rest of his days between the two locations and considered his home church to be Divine Redeemer Catholic Church.
Edward Cleveland Jr. was a loving husband, beloved “Papa”, steadfast brother, inspiring mentor, selfless helper, and a hospitable, enduring friend. He was quick with an infectious smile full of warmth and joy. And he loved coffee!
He will be missed terribly, but remembered with much love by his children: Alicia Cleveland Flow and her husband, John (TX); Andrew Cleveland (CO); and Anita Cleveland Crouch and her husband Richard “Ric” Crouch (GA); and cherished by his grandchildren: Kimberly Dixon (TX), and William, Daniel, and Jessica Crouch (GA).
Graveside service with military honors will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, Colorado Springs, CO on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a loving donation in memory of Edward Cleveland Jr. to St. Michael’s Indian School, Window Rock, AZ.
Deborah Piper
5 Jan 2020Sending our love and condolences from Grandma Long and The Pipers
Adriana Greek Village!?
5 Jan 2020So sorry for your loss to you and the entire family! May God keep you strong to get though this hard time . Rest In Peace my friend! You will be missed!???
My prayers and love are for you and family.
6 Jan 2020Anita, I always admired and was glad I got to visit with your father. He was a good man, He was such an asset to this country. i treasure the small amount I got to know about him, and only wish I could hear more of the adventures he had as a boy, as a man, as a member of the armed services. You can be truly proud of him.
Faye Lewis
6 Jan 2020My heartfelt condolences are with you , Anita, and your family. Oh how I loved sitting and talking with your Dad on several Christmas Eves. He will be deeply missed. Prayers going up for you all.
Love, Faye and Gary Lewis.
Anonymous
7 Jan 2020Love you and praying for God’s strength during this time!
John, Lisa & Kate Hinman
Anonymous
8 Jan 2020Anita, we are very sorry for your loss. I didn’t know your father but he must have been quite a good man to raise a daughter like you. You and your family are in our prayers.
Alan and Adrienne Lukemire
Heather Chin-A-Young.
8 Jan 2020I am so thankful for knowing Mr.C and hearing his stories. He blessed our family greatly at a very needy time in our lives. He was such an example of a hard worker and loved his children and grandchildren well. Praying for you all.
Matthew Bradfield
29 Oct 2024Late hearing about Ed’s passing. I worked with Ed in Job Control at Yokota AB in 1975. As a young SSgt, he taught me a lot. My favorite memory of him, however, was his sharing his lunch of his wife’s EXCELLENT fried chicken and rice balls which I fondly remember to this day. RIP Ed, you were an inspiration and are missed.
Matt Bradfield, SMSgt, USAF, Retired