Past Lieutenant Governor Clev2015-2016 Lt. Governors (bcc’d) and Kiwanis Leaders addressed,
Please see the information below and responses that we received regarding the passing of 2015-2016 Lt. Governor for Division 47, Cleveland "Cleve" Spaight:
Regretfully, I was informed this evening by Chuck Spaight, son of Past Lieutenant Governor Cleveland "Cleve" Spaight, Cleve died at 4:42 PM on February 14, 2021.
Cleve was an integral part of the Kiwanis Club of Twentynine Palms, a member since 2006, he was responsible for forming three K Kids Clubs and a Builders Club. He was our
Service Leadership Program Chair and the Advisor for all the clubs. Cleve was a kind and giving man who bent over backward to help the SLP clubs, He helped with projects including our Palm Vista Elementary K KIds singing Christmas carols at a local nursing
home for years. Cleve worked with all the school advisors in an annual canned food drive provided to 29 Palms Food Pantry, too. Cleve insured the K KIds had shirts and many times donated the funds to insure the kids had shirts.
Cleve served as Division 47 Lieutenant Governor 2015-2016 and spent countless hours with a couple of our clubs trying to form new clubs in their immediate area. which did
not come to fruition but not for lack of trying.
With all Cleve did for our SLP program he was also involved in every service project and provided major support in our two largest fundraisers. We were a team in our holiday
See's Candies fundraiser spending countless hours at Stater Bros. If I wasn't available to set up or take down our table Cleve would be there. His efforts were invaluable. For our Pancake Breakfast fundraiser Cleve was involved with preparations and helping
wherever it was needed especially in setting up and working all the way through tirelessly.
Cleve attended most Midyear Conferences and District Conventions as well as many Kiwanis International Conventions. He made many friends in our district and around the world
at the conventions. He will be missed by many friends but not forgotten.
Cleve was also selected as Military Grand Marshall for Twentynine Palms Pioneer Days in October 2015 as he began his year as Lieutenant Governor. Cleve retired as a Master
Sergeant with 23 years in the United States Marine Corps in 1978 including two tours in Vietnam and kept in contact with countless Marines he served with.
I have no information on services for Cleve yet but condolences can be sent to his son, Chuck Spaight at Cleve's address in Twentynine Palms at 5374 Abronia Avenue, Twentynine
Palms, CA 92277.
Yours in Kiwanis service,
Herman Platzke, President
760-972-7205
“Very sad news this morning, I followed Cleave as an LTG in division 47 in 2016/2017 and we got to know first-hand the kind human being he was. He will be missed, but he leaves a legacy in our division and in Kiwanis ... let’s live up to
his example and celebrate his life and great memories. May he Rest In Peace with the lord
🙏🏻” - Carmen A. Gastelum , CNH Trustee
“I considered Cleve a best friend and I would try to do anything for him. He stepped in as Lt. Governor when I was not able to do it, but I made sure I backed Cleve up at all times. We put together a great Governor’s visit at the
Palm Springs zoo that was a smooth & successful function. There is a lot more I can say and sadly I will miss Cleve every day. Kiwanis should be thankful to have a tremendous good will ambassador that will be missed. Thank you Cleve for being a true friend
and one of Kiwanis Greats.” - Will and Linda Gayle Kading
“That is really sad news. Cleve was a true leader and mainstay for our Kiwanis Club. Cleve was one of the first people I met when I moved back to Twentynine Palms. We were both out walking and soon started a conversation and I later joined
Kiwanis. We both enjoyed classic western movies and military humor. I will miss him. Bye Cleve, I will see you “down range”.” - James Krushat
“Mr. Spaight will be greatly missed. He was like a father. He was very supportive of the K-Kids Scholars and the program. He would always come to my meetings with goodies for the children sometime spending his own money. He would be there
when we were planting flowers and taking pictures etc. The scholars would always asked if he was my father and I’ll tell them yes. He was always checking on me even after I left 29Palms. One of his many kind words to me is “How’s my good teacher doing?” I
stopped hearing from him not because he didn’t care but because he was ill. I wish I had done better reaching out every time God placed you on my heart. I continued to be K-Kids Advisor for 5 years mostly because of him.
You will be greatly missed and I’m sure the Kiwanis Club will really miss a great and down to heart, a very diligent, and loving man. I know that heaven gained an Angel because you were one on this earth.
God bless and keep all the loved ones you left behind.” - Yinka Ademorijimi
“Heartbreaking news! Cleveland was my 15-16 LTG roomie, and since buddy! Cleveland was a Rockstar! It was an honor to serve with Cleveland and the team! I wish I had been able to get out to the desert more often! I always joked with
Cleveland after making it out there a few times that I thought I was driving to another state! Thank you for your service my friend!” - Ray Hamada
Cleve received the Distinguished Service Award from the Cal-Nev-Ha Children’s Fund twice.
If we receive any further details, we will send additional communications.
Please keep Cleve and his family in your thoughts during this difficult time. Another great Kiwanian that will truly be missed.
In Kiwanis Service,
Trina Krider
Trina Krider
Conventions, Conferences and Communications Coordinator
Cal-Nev-Ha District of Kiwanis International
8360 Red Oak Street, Suite 201
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Phone: 909-989-1500 ext. 122
Direct line: 909-736-1702
Fax: 909-989-7779
Find us on
Facebook!
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community
at a time.
The mission of the Kiwanis Cal-Nev-Ha District office is to provide exceptional service, education
and information to all members of the Kiwanis family to empower them to better serve the Children of the World.