George Grover Cleveland

George Grover Cleveland George Cleveland died peacefully at home with family by his side on January 29 at the age of 86. Funeral services will be Monday, February 2, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 4901 Cobbs Drive. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be from 5 7 p.m. Saturday, January 31, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque. Born in Hamilton County, Texas in 1922, George was raised on a farm near Shive until graduation from high school in 1939. Having experienced life on the farm during the depression, he went to work for a refinery in Port Arthur, Texas to save money for college until WW II broke out. Knowing that his draft notice for the war was eminent, George traveled to Fort Worth so that he could choose his area of service and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. George served his country from 1942 to 1946 as a signalman second class on U.S. Navy supply ships, primarily in the South Pacific, and was staged in the Philippines for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. After returning home to Texas, he enrolled in college at Texas A&M and married his hometown girlfriend Mary Elizabeth Lund in 1947. George graduated from Texas A&M in 1950 with a degree in civil engineering. He accepted a job in Waco, Texas with the Texas Department of Transportation with oversite of state highway maintenance in McLennan County and six additional surrounding counties including his hometown of Hamilton. Typical of a GI Generation's career, he had one employer after college until retirement in 1977 from the Texas Department of Transportation. Once retired, George and Mary learned to enjoy the beauty of rural Hamilton county and spent weeks at a time on the family home place renovating a 100 year old home that is still enjoyed today by children and grandchildren. As a WW II veteran, George's volunteer time included patient assistance at the Waco VA, Senior Kiwanas Club, and First United Methodist Church. He was involved as coach and league official of Lake Air Little League in the 1960's that included coaching a state quarterfinal all-star team. George was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Mary Cleveland. He is survived by daughter, Carol Kuehl and husband, Cody of Robinson; son, Curtis Cleveland of Waco; grandchildren: Emilie Kuehl Browning and husband, Matt of Pflugerville; Amy Kuehl Kyle and husband, Jeff of Galveston; David Cleveland and wife, Maggie of Ft. Worth; and his first great-granddaughter, Addison Browning of Pflugerville. In addition he is survived by his brother-in-law, Kenneth Lund of Anacortes, Washington and niece, Nancy Witte and husband, Leonard of Cleburne. Pallbearers are Matt Browning, Billy Davis, Jr., Steve Harrison, Richard Karr, Jody Kuehl, Jeff Kyle, Larry Lear, and Dudley Van Ness. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Becker, O.E. Blythe, Dr. Bond Browder, Cecil Kauitzsch, Gene Miller, and Leonard Witte. In lieu of flowers, George and family have requested that memorials be made to First United Methodist Church Meals on Wheels Program, 4901 Cobbs Drive, Waco, Texas 76710 or the TSTC Regent's Circle for the George Cleveland student scholarship endowment, 3801 Campus Drive, Waco, Texas 76705. The family would like to say a special Thank You! to the attentive nurses of Providence CHF clinic, Dr. Tom Lundeen, and the staff of Providence Hospice. George's quality time at home this past year was enhanced by the loving care of Paula Ripley from Nurse's Unlimited. The family invites your to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com