Nathan Henry Cleek
December 27, 1910 — August 29, 2009
Nathan Henry Cleek, Sr., passed from this life on Saturday, August 29, at the age of 98. He had been a resident of Las Cruces 49 years. He was born December 27, 1910, the second of five children, to Thomas and Leliah Cleek in Maury City TN. His family lived in several small Tennessee towns during his childhood years. He graduated from Halls (TN) High School and from Harding Universi...
Nathan Henry Cleek, Sr., passed from this life on Saturday, August 29, at the age of 98. He had been a resident of Las Cruces 49 years. He was born December 27, 1910, the second of five children, to Thomas and Leliah Cleek in Maury City TN. His family lived in several small Tennessee towns during his childhood years. He graduated from Halls (TN) High School and from Harding University. He later earned a Master's Degree from Western New Mexico State University and was awarded a National Science Foundation Grant for summer study at New Mexico State University. He began his career as a teacher in 1935 in Guy AR, where he met his future wife, Montein McClaren, also a teacher. They were married in 1938 in Pampa TX. From Pampa, they moved to Belleville IL, where Nathan taught electrical fundamentals at the Army Radio School at Scott Field. The Cleek family lived a short time in Roswell NM before moving in 1945 to nearby Hagerman, where Nathan taught seventh and eighth grade math, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and physics. In 1960 he became a member of the math department at Las Cruces High School where he taught until his retirement in 1974. During his retirement, Nathan was an avid golfer for several years. He enjoyed reading, solving crossword puzzles, and watching sports. He was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Dallas Cowboys, the University of Tennessee Volunteers, and the New Mexico State Aggies. He was a member of the Church of Christ from his early tee...
Nathan Henry Cleek, Sr., passed from this life on Saturday, August 29, at the age of 98. He had been a resident of Las Cruces 49 years. He was born December 27, 1910, the second of five children, to Thomas and Leliah Cleek in Maury City TN. His family lived in several small Tennessee towns during his childhood years. He graduated from Halls (TN) High School and from Harding University. He later earned a Master's Degree from Western New Mexico State University and was awarded a National Science Foundation Grant for summer study at New Mexico State University. He began his career as a teacher in 1935 in Guy AR, where he met his future wife, Montein McClaren, also a teacher. They were married in 1938 in Pampa TX. From Pampa, they moved to Belleville IL, where Nathan taught electrical fundamentals at the Army Radio School at Scott Field. The Cleek family lived a short time in Roswell NM before moving in 1945 to nearby Hagerman, where Nathan taught seventh and eighth grade math, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and physics. In 1960 he became a member of the math department at Las Cruces High School where he taught until his retirement in 1974. During his retirement, Nathan was an avid golfer for several years. He enjoyed reading, solving crossword puzzles, and watching sports. He was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Dallas Cowboys, the University of Tennessee Volunteers, and the New Mexico State Aggies. He was a member of the Church of Christ from his early teens until his death. He and Montein helped start congregations in Belleview IL and Hagerman NM. At the University Church of Christ in Las Cruces he served in various capacities: counting and depositing weekly contributions, mowing the lawn, and occasionally teaching adult classes. Nathan is survived by his son, Nathan H. Cleek, Jr., of Enterprise AL; son, Charles Cleek and his wife Joy of Oklahoma City; daughter, Thyra Heger and her husband Bert of Las Cruces; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. A gathering of family and friends will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, September 3, 2009 at Getz Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be at 3:00 p.m. Friday, September 4, 2009 at the University Church of Christ, 1555 E. University Avenue in Las Cruces. David Harrelson and Danny McKinney will officiate. Burial will take place Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to New Mexico Christian Children's Home; 1356 NM Rte. 236; Portales NM, 88130-9411. PDF Printable Version
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