James Donald Van Cleve

J. D. was born January 16, 1920 at Helena, Montana, the fourth of seven children to George Bernice and Fern McWethey Van Cleve. The early years of his life were spent on his father's sheep ranch at Canyon Creek, MT. The family moved to Helena in 1928 where his Father died in 1929. In 1932, his Mother moved the family to Missoula, MT. He attended Hawthorne Grade School and graduated from Missoula County High School in 1939. After graduation, he attended the University of Montana as a Music Major. In 1944, he married Lenore Cole at Darby, MT. She died in 1959. In 1961, he married Helen Johnson at Missoula, MT. He was employed for many years by Westmont Tractor Co. In 1973, he accepted a position with Border Machinery and moved his family to Albuquerque, NM. He retired in 1988 and he and Helen moved back to Albuquerque. After his retirement, he was an Associate with French Mortuary. His whole life was devoted to music as well as gardening. He sang at many weddings and funerals over the years for family members and friends. He was a member of church choirs in Missoula, El Paso and Albuquerque. As a young college student he was part of a church deputized team that traveled Western Montana conducting church services for small, rural communities. He was a charter member and Past President of the Missoula Mendelssohn Club as well as SPEBSQSA (Society for the Prevention & Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in American). He was an active member and Past President of the Missoula Lions Club. He also belonged to the BPOE at Missoula, MT. He became a member of Harmony Lodge #49, AF & AM at Missoula, MT in 1969. He was initiated into the Algeria Temple of Shriners at Kalispell, MT & affiliated with Ballut Abyad Temple, Albuquerque, in 1975. He was initiated into the Order of the Eastern Star, Electa Chapter #7, by his wife, Helen, who was Conductress at the time. He was a Past National President of Training Directors of International Harvester Construction Dealers. He is a member of St. John's United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Helen, of 53 years; son, Gerald Van Cleve and daughter-in-law, Marsha, Pittsburg, CA; daughter, Deborah and son-in-law, Danal Estes, Fairview, TX; daughter, Marianne Portillo, El Paso, TX. Five grandchildren, Lauren Woerner (Matt), Concord, CA, Jennifer Spaeny (Shawn), Wichita, KS, Sarah Portillo, Helen Portillo, and Andres James Portillo, El Paso, TX; and five great-grandchildren, Alaina, Ashlyn and Ariel Woerner, Juliette Portillo, and Lincoln Spaeny. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary Elizabeth Herbig Sawyer and Berna Louise Clayton; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Ralph, George, and John; one sister, Annis Anderson Olson; and his son-in-law, Raul Ramon (Ray) Portillo. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Gentiva Health Services, 5600 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Suite 10, Albuquerque 87109 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, Fairfax Road at Virginia Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103. A Celebration of Life will be held at St. John's United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona NE, 2:00 p.m., on Friday, April 25, 2014, with Rev. Dr. Steven Roberts officiating.