John Earl Cleek

—A Life Well Lived—

After 90 years of a wonderfully impactful life, John Earl Cleek passed away in peace on March 29, 2025, after a brief illness. He was with family at home in Louisburg, Kansas. In recent weeks, he had been enjoying visits from many loving family members and friends who traveled from afar to share stories, laughs, and final hugs. As always, he was buoyantly funny and optimistic, reflective and philosophical, interested in others and sharing in their concerns, and unfailingly courageous.

John Cleek was born in Wynona, Oklahoma, on February 7, 1935, to Earl and Mary (Campbell) Cleek. His early life was spent in rural northeast Oklahoma, rollicking with siblings Dorotha, Mary, Bill and Margaret through the post-Depression and Dust Bowl years. He earned his first college degree at Oklahoma Baptist University in 1956 and followed in his father’s footsteps into the ministry after attending Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. In an unexpected fateful turn, he left the ministry after some years to earn his doctorate degree in education at the University of Kentucky. This began a lifelong journey of leadership in higher education.

After working for several years in the State of Oklahoma Higher Education Regents office, he became the president of the newly-created South Oklahoma City Junior College. He led that institution through the creation of its campus, hiring faculty, and recruiting its first students. He subsequently became the president of Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas, leading its growth to become a powerhouse educational institution in the region. Later, he joined the faculty at the Bloch School of Business at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, where he brought to life for his students the hard-won lessons from working in the international trade business.

A theme that suffused John’s careers in higher education, but even more notably in his personal life, was a commitment to civil rights. After a pivotal 1964 experience of marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Frankfort, Kentucky, in support of changes to discriminatory laws, he became a steadfast champion of equal treatment for all in society. At times, he did so in the face of risks that would cause many to shrink back. He welcomed people of all races and backgrounds to join him in church and at school. After the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, he personally helped relocate to the Louisburg community several black families that had lost everything in the storm. His sensibilities around equal concern for all was something he passed on to everyone around him, most especially perhaps to his own children.

John delighted in family. All of his children brought him tremendous joy and pride. Karla and Alan through his first marriage to Bernadine (Durkfelt) Linscott. Michael, Joshua and Lindsay through his marriage of forty years to Connie (Logan) Cleek. They were all blessed by his endless guidance and love. His grandchildren Drew and Hannah; Will and Jacob; Logan, Madison and Landon; Lydia and Lucy, were all so dearly loved by their Grandpa John.

There were often considerable distances between his far-flung family members, but when brought together for shared celebration, the return of easy conversation and laughter was immediate and natural. When together for shared sadness, his calming solace and love was profound.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Mary Cleek, Skiatook, OK; his siblings Dorotha Cahill, Wilmington, NC; Bill Cleek, Las Vegas, NV; little grandson Lane Harry, and his beloved daughter Karla Harry, Rumford, RI, whom he missed terribly after her passing.

He is survived by Connie Cleek of the home, Alan Cleek (Allie) KCMO; Michael Lemons (Leslie), Naperville, IL; Joshua Cleek, Marion, OH; Lindsay Noland (Nathan), Overland Park, KS; Jason Harry (Meg), Rumford, RI; sisters Mary Crawford, Shawnee, OK; Margaret Gilley, Eufaula, OK; nine grandchildren, one great-grandson and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind countless close friends and colleagues from his diverse forays in life.

In lieu of flowers, a temporary GoFundMe has been created to support John’s beloved wife, Connie, with short-term expenses as she transitions into this new chapter. Connie is deeply independent, and this effort is simply meant to lift some immediate burdens so she can focus on healing and honoring John’s legacy. If you feel moved to contribute or share, you can do so here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/celebrating-john-cleeks-life-standing-by-connie.

Your kindness and support during this time mean more than words can express.

A Celebration of John’s Life will be held Sunday, June 8 from 2:00 to 4:00pm at the Fox Hall Community Building in Louisburg, KS.