Douglas Alan Cleeton

Douglas "Doug" Alan Cleeton of Leesburg, FL peacefully left this earth to be with his Lord on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. He was born on Jan. 7, 1951 in Des Moines, IA to parents Charles and Vivian. Because of his father's job, he spent time living in Iowa, Minnesota, California and Virginia during his childhood. He was always active in the church and enjoyed the outdoors. During his high school years, he participated in debate and public speaking, entering several competitions, in two of which he won state and national awards. He went on to attend Wheaton College for philosophy. During his Junior year, he met Karen Sue Larsen, his future wife. After graduating college, he attended Dallas Theological Seminary, marrying Karen after his first year in June, 1974. He earned a ThN, Masters in Theology. In 1977, Doug and Karen moved to Leesburg, FL to pastor Faith Evangelical Free Church where Doug served for 24 years. During that time, they welcomed their two daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth into their family. In 2001, God led Doug to a different type of ministry doing social work with Children's Home Society. During his 14 years of work there, he led fatherhood programs in jails and in the community, he ran a healthy start program, and he worked with foster families. In 2015, he retired. Throughout his life, Doug had a passion for history, reading and studying the Bible, and teaching other people about God through Bible studies and Sunday school. He also was blessed with a gift in music, participating in church choirs, community choirs and special programs. Doug is preceded in death by his father Charles "Chuck" Cleeton. He is survived by his mother Vivian Cleeton, his wife of 45 years Karen Cleeton, his brother Tim Cleeton, his two daughters Sarah Cleeton and Elizabeth Williams, and 6 grandchildren: Arielle, Jasmine, Jensen, Asher, Gideon and Ethan. A public visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 from 5-8pm at the Beyers Funeral Home Chapel in Leesburg, FL. Services will be held on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at 10am at Grace Bible Baptist Church with interment following at Lone Oak Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Faith Community Church's and/or Grace Bible Baptist Church's missions funds, as Doug had a great heart for mission work and discipleship. . "The family requests that friends send personal stories/memories of Doug to secretary@gbbconline.com" Online condolences may be left at www.beyersfuneralhome.com Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory, Leesburg, FL.

Douglas Alan Cleeton

January 7, 1951 - June 5, 2019