My condolences to the Cleveland family.

(Photograph posted with Mike's permission.)

-Victor

Thank you for posting the photo. I so enjoyed his posts about black powder "research and development". A ton of character just departed the world and this forum.

Yup!

-Victor

My very first news of the day was Victor calling to tell me Charlie Cleveland had died. We spent several minutes talking about him and then I came here to read it for myself. Like others have expressed I too had a deep appreciation for him long before we ever met. So much so he was my first choice to write a story about for the Parker Pages. I think we all recognize there was something special about the man that we were able to discern from just reading his posts. I truly wanted to meet him and I thought the members would be interested in what I found out. I wrote it as best I could but sadly it fell far short of actually being with him. He loved his old guns and his old cars but most of all he loved his family and his sweet wife Bessie. He could tell a story in such a way it would draw you in, captivate your attention and leave you spellbound. Of all the things he showed me and told me about, one in particular stands out above all the rest. (I know I’m being long winded but it’s therapeutic.) Early one morning before the sun came up we were sitting at the kitchen table eating hot biscuits and talking about turkey hunting. He said I want to show you something and walked into another room. He came back carrying something wrapped in an old piece of cloth. The way he held it and looked at it I new it was of tremendous value and importance to him. He sat down and reverently uncovered an ancient looking long box turkey call. Long and skinny, I thought I had never seen anything like it. He told me it belonged to his father who used it for years before giving it to him. I believe that humble piece of wood fashioned into a hunting implement was his most prized earthly possession. To me this summed up the essence of the man. He could draw joy and happiness from the simple of things and could share and convey those feelings to everyone around him. I loved Charlie Cleveland and will be forever grateful for the experience he allowed me to share with him. I’ll leave with a short video as we left the hunting grounds and traveled The Old Field Road. https://youtu.be/EXNlRtZBJBI?si=fyxRGOWmHH8lDymq

Do not know how to post a link to this. Obit is on Senter funeral home , Fulton Miss. Would appreciate some one doing it.

Link to Senter Funeral Directors
 

OMG! So very sorry to hear this. I enjoyed Charlie’s posts He will be missed. Condolences to the family

Rest in Peace my friend. Charlie was a great man and mentor in regards to the "Big Bores". He loved 8 gauges. Talking with Charlie was a pleasure. I am shocked and very sad to hear of his passing. God Bless the Cleveland family. I am thankful to have known him, and the knowledge he passed along to others. He was a great contributor to this forum. I know he has a Big 8 ready on the "Big Pond" up above.



Bobby

I remember ten years ago or so, there was a mongrel 8 bore Parker in the silent auction at the Annual Meeting and dinner in Rhode Island. Some kind sole bought it and gave it to Charlie. He loved that gun as though it was an A1S.

What a shock, Charlie was a wonderful addition to the Parker universe. Being a 8ga shooter we had much in common. Charlie was a kind and gentle man who had a passion for the simple parts of life, brush hogging, planting for doves and shooting Dr, Pepper cans for pattern testing. He sold me a nice vintage 8ga box which has a prominent space on my shelf of shotshell boxes. We will all miss him dearly and will have him in our prayers.

Sorry to hear, he was always a delight to read or to converse with. A big man who loved big bores. We all should aspire to his nature. The PGCA is better because of Charlie Cleveland.

Sad news. May he R.I.P. He will always come to mind when I see a Dr. Pepper can.

Two things among the many I remember about Charlie: how he appreciated simple old Stevens guns, and his recent joy at finally getting a Daisy Red Ryder. RIP Charlie.

What sad news. Time to put a STOP to this awful trend!! We're losing far too many esteemed and truly unique characters from our micro-sized community.

Whether on his beloved farm or afield, Charlie epitomized "the glass half-full" approach to life's challenges, perhaps his most enduring legacy. I had never seen a picture of the man until today, but if I had to pay a police sketch artist to illustrate what I conjured up in my mind, it would have been damn close to the 10-ring!

I'd be willing to bet that St. Peter met Charlie at the pearly gates toting a NOS 8-bore and a Hills Bros. can of homemade black powder. RIP Mr. Cleveland.

"SQUIRL" hunting will never be the same in your absence!! :bowdown:

If one were to sum up Charlie's quality in one sentence, I think Steve just did it.

I still get glassy eyed thinking about a forum without Charlie.

Charlie was a blessing for the PGCA family , and we all feel like we have lost a close relative.
Prayers for his family.

I just happened upon this sad thread this morning, and like all others here am saddened at the loss. We are richer for Charlie having had such a big presence here.

To the Cleveland family, know that we are remembering you in our corporate prayers for comfort and peace at this difficult time. We all feel like we had a "kinship" with Charlie. He was just that special a person. As you grieve his passing please know that we all grieve with you. There will be a void on this forum that no man will ever fill. What a special guy he was!

Rest in peace, brother.

So sorry to learn of Charlie’s passing. I’ll always remember Charlie as a thoughtful and compassionate man which he had shown us thousands of times through his many posts. Charlie always had something positive to say.

Charlie was one of a kind he loved the simple life style, something we all should take note on, He loved old cars 8 ga guns and hunting for his next gun a the gun shows, The organization is getting a lot of us getting older, Hope Charlies stories will live on for they have a meaning in them RIP Mr Charlie, Gary

So sorry to hear. Charlie, you will be missed but not forgotten.
I envision you in a heavenly place holding a 16 lb 40” barreled Parker 8 bore and smiling.

Charlie Cleveland made me smile, find contentment, enjoy easy pleasures, be satisfied with an honest days work, look forward to a challenge, and to be aware of simple surroundings. I am sad.
Sending love and strength to ALL his loved ones.

Charlie's Obit and Guest Book is here:

https://senterfuneraldirectors.com/o...lie-cleveland/

I just found this post this morning and am so sorry to read of Charlie's passing ! When I would see he posted ,his would be the first post I would read ! I always enjoyed his Reports on Car Shows he attended or Gun Shows and what interested him there and of course his never ending stories of working on his equipment ,old cars and working up his food plots ! His hunts with his Family were always special just as he was such a special person and will be missed by us all ! Our Prayers and Condolences are with his entire family ! God Bless you all and Give You Peace !

Thanks, Pete.

he will be sorely missed here

you had a wonderful unique father

we were blessed to have had him as a member

Charlie was the best of us all, a true country gentleman.

I'm glad I finally made it down to visit he and your mother a couple falls back.

We are less with his passing.

I was saddened to learn of the passing of my fellow Mississippian.What a wonderful contributor to our shooting sports in such a unique manner.He will be missed.God's blessings on his family.

RIP Charlie. God bless.