Kenneth Ludren "Kenny" Cleeton

Kenneth Ludren “Kenny” Cleeton, 87, of Huntsville, passed away, Friday, September 18, 2020, at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital. He was born on October 29, 1932, at home in Rucker, MO, to the union of Larry and Gladys (Colley) Cleeton. He married Bonnie Darlene Crosswhite on September 4, 1955, in Moberly, MO and she preceded him in death on August 23, 1993.  Also preceding him in death were his parents and two sisters, Velma Cleeton and Beatrice Willingham.

Survivors include his son, Kenneth Christopher “Chris” Cleeton and his girlfriend Amy of Huntsville; two granddaughters, Kenna Rasmussen and husband Josh, of Moberly, and Sara Lewis and husband Justin, of Fort Lee, VA; and 7 great-grandsons, Brendon Bennett, of Jefferson City, Jason, Alex and Jacob Rasmussen of Moberly, Dawson of Naval Station Norfolk, VA, and Wryan and Wyatt Lewis of Fort Lee, VA.

Kenny was drafted into the Army in 1952 and got to travel the United States. He also went to Germany and says it was the most beautiful countryside he has ever seen. He was involved in the Korean War, being honorably discharged in 1955 after being shot in the ankle.

Kenny and Bonnie spent their years together fishing, boating & skiing at the Lake of the Ozarks, and hunting year-round. They welcomed Chris on November 29, 1962; “30 years and 30 days” after Kenny was born. He enjoyed teaching his son about fishing, hunting and farming. Over the years, they had cattle, hogs, goats, chickens, rabbits, and even had crops for a few years. He also worked for Midwest Linen, as a handyman for the city of Huntsville, and had an APCO gas station in Columbia. He joined the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department in 1978 and served for 15 years. After retiring, he ventured into running a flea market in Huntsville and then took it on the road to open air flea markets. He continued to do so until about 8 years ago. His final years were spent helping Chris on the property with mowing, cutting wood, and taking care of the chickens again, plus teasing his grandsons, calling them “Sally” and stealing food off their plates.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital.  

Services honoring Kenny’s life were held in the Cater Funeral Home Chapel.  Committal prayer, military honors and burial followed at the Memorial Park Cemetery.