Ace Cleavinger

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(Sept. 13, 1929 - July 30, 2015)

Ace Cleavinger, formerly of Powell, died July 30, 2015.

He was born Sept. 13, 1929, in Easton, Kansas, to Almon and Pearl Cleavinger. He was their seventh child.

Ace attended a country school and Leavenworth High School. He graduated from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, in 1951, with a bachelor’s degree in education. After graduation, he entered the Navy as an Ensign aboard the USS Philippine during the Korean Conflict. 

Ace began his teaching career in 1953. He spent 30 years in the Shawnee Mission School District and eight years as a principal in Wichita, Kansas. At each school, he raised their standards. During his tenure, he found time to get his master’s and a doctorate in education from Kansas University.

In Powell, he found a community which he loved. His letter to the editor after retiring expressed his joy in Powell and Parkside. Quoting from his letter, “Thank you, Powell, for the complete acceptance of my wife and me to your beautiful and wonderful community. The cleanliness of  the town was very evident the moment of arrival in late afternoon July 31, 1993. The friendliness was immediately noticeable as we visited various businesses that evening. If we thought the people were friendly to strangers you can imagine how we feel now. Words can never describe the sentiments! The children of Parkside made every day seem worthwhile. Thank you, Parkside, Thank you, Powell.  Everything about both of you is good and genuine.”

Ace and his wife, Lola, were tireless workers at the Topeka Rescue Mission for 14 years. This all occurred after “retirement.”

He loved his two sons, David and Mark. The one thing they both say is that he taught them how to work. Ace coached Mark’s soccer team and took David fishing.

Celebration of his life will be Friday, Aug. 14, at 1 p.m. at Mt. Hope Cemetery Funeral Chapel, 4700 SW 17th, Topeka, Kansas. More information can be found at www.DoveCremation.com.

Memorial donations can be made to the Topeka Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 8350, Topeka, KS 66608-0350. 

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