John Alan Cleeton, 73, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away June 11, 2021. A Zoom Memorial Service will be held on July 11, 2021 at 3:00 p.m., please email Susan at ypsilanti@sbcglobal.net for service details.

John was born June 15, 1947, Father's Day, in Kansas City, Missouri, to John W. and Carol J. Cleeton. After graduating from Paseo High School in 1965, John enlisted in the Army and served from 1965-1968, including two tours in Vietnam. Upon returning home, John worked at Barnard's Camera Store on the Country Club Plaza and took classes at Kansas City Junior College.

He applied to the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department and was appointed to the department on March 16, 1969. His calm demeanor and respect for people were attributes that made him a valuable asset to the department. On November 22, 1987, he received his promotion to Sergeant. John was retired from the police department in 1996 having served 26 years and 11 months.

On March 8, 1975, John married Susan E. Krull. They were and always will be soulmates. They celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary this year. Though having no children, they were blessed with wonderful parents, brothers, sisters, and many nieces and nephews to love.

After his retirement, John found ways to give back. He served at Meals on Wheels once or twice per week. Frequently, he visited with these people, many of whom had no other contact.

The director of the preschool that shared a building with Meals on Wheels asked him if he would read to a class. A young boy didn't like police because the police took his daddy away. So, John read once a week before he identified himself as a policeman. The boy’s attitude changed. John became a permanent reader at the school for several years. Sharing his love for reading with young people was a real gift to John.

John had many interests and hobbies, which he generously shared. He was an avid reader with a photographic memory. He read and collected books on camera, cars, photography, travel, history, cooking, watches and much more.

Not only did he read about these things, he used the information to enjoy his many activities. He was an excellent photographer. Since they had no children, John and Susan had time to travel. They took many trips both in the United States and abroad. 

John's real joy was sharing his time with family, friends, and people in general. He never met a stranger, striking up conversations with people everywhere he went. Visiting friends and family in Colorado, Texas, Florida, and Georgia were some of the best times. Traveling with friends to Illinois, Europe and Italy were great adventures.

He loved reading to kids, especially his nephews and nieces, but loved it even more when they learned to read and could read to him.

With nephews and nieces he dug dinosaur bones at a Crown Center exhibit, hiked, lifted weights, played Concentration, Sorry, and other games they enjoyed, played with Barbie and Hannah Montana, cooked and baked bread.

He loved conversations about their thoughts on anything. He and Susan took them to zoos, water and amusement parks, bowling, movies, etc. He attended their swim meets, school concerts, basketball and football games, track meets, plays, musicals, graduations, and weddings. He wanted them to know that what was interesting and important to them was interesting and important to him.

John always visited family in the hospital, attended funerals, weddings, and family gatherings. He wanted others to know they were valued.

Part of his legacy is that reading and learning are things to treasure. Sharing what you value with others enriches all our lives. He will be missed greatly.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John W. and Carol J. Cleeton and his brothers Robert Smith and Kevin D. Cleeton. He is survived by his wife, Susan E. Cleeton, his brother Kerry L. Cleeton, his sister and her husband, Susan M. and Patrick Diamond, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice in John's name.