Passing of Charlie Cleveland

[Mike Franzen]

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

[Woodcock survey]

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

[John Knobelsdorf II]

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

[Autumn Daze]

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

[GunnerGrilli]

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

[edgarspencer]

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.

[Craig Larter]

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.

[Rick Roemer]

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.

[J.B. Books]

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

[TOOL MAN]

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!!