Commander Jerry Maddux Van Cleave, 86, passed away in Williamsburg on 4 July 2024.
Commander Van Cleave was a native of Oklahoma, born 3 March 1938 in Navajoe, Oklahoma. He left school shortly after completing the ninth grade and joined the Oklahoma National Guard three weeks before his sixteenth birthday. Subsequently, at age seventeen he transferred to the Navy where he spent the next 35 years, beginning his Navy career as an enlisted service member and rising to the rank of Commander, retiring in August of 1991.
During his lengthy Navy career, he proudly served on numerous ships and locations throughout the United States and overseas. The duty assignment he loved most was aboard the USS Brough (DE-148) assigned to Operation Deep Freeze III (South Pole) out of Dunedin, New Zealand during 1957 to 1958. For his service, Commander Van Cleave was decorated on numerous occasions. Included in those decorations are the Bronze Star with “V,” Navy Commendation Medal with 5 Gold Stars and Combat “V,” Navy Achievement Medal with 2 Gold Stars, National Defense Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, Korean Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and more.
Upon retiring from the Navy, Commander Van Cleave established his home in Williamsburg, Virginia and was a resident there until his death. Commander Van Cleave was a graduate of Christopher Newport University (Cum Laude) with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, preceded by an Associate degree in Business Administration from Thomas Nelson Community College (Suma Cum Laude).
Commander Van Cleave was preceded in death by his parents, La Vivian Charlott and Wayne Emmanual Van Cleave, brother Tommy LaWayne Van Cleave who died while serving his country (US Army), and grandson Brett Robert Elander.
Commander Van Cleave is survived by three sons; Tommy (Vicki) Van Cleave and granddaughters Amy (Nicholas) Barene and Sarah, and grandson Christopher Thomas Tagseth; Gary (Kim) Van Cleave and granddaughters Alexandra and Madeline, and great-grandson Nicholas; and Jimmy (Christie) and granddaughters Jamie and Savannah. He is also survived by his sister, Eunabyrle La Vivian Baker and nieces Kandis, Quintana and nephew Kohyn, and niece Nancy (Ray) DeCoursey with whom he shared a particularly special bond after the death of his brother Tommy.
Commander Van Cleave was a patriotic American who served his country with great pride. He was a great storyteller, a self-taught pastry chef and winemaker, a published photographer, and craftsman. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, sailing, and miles of walking among nature. He was a proud father and grandfather, demonstrating determination and an uncompromising work ethic. He was a present and committed grandfather. He passed at peace knowing his family’s love for him and grateful for his life experiences.
Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at Ft. Myer, Virginia with full military honors on a date to be determined in the coming weeks. A memorial service will be held prior to interment. The obituary on Bucktrout of Williamsburg’s website will be updated with details.
