Karl Lee Van Cleave

Karl Lee Van Cleave, 72 of Midland TX, passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2024. The family will receive guests from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday, September 19, 2024 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM Friday, September 20, 2024 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Karl was born July 3, 1952 in Graham, Texas to Pat and Harley Van Cleave. After the family moved to Midland, Texas, he attended school there, graduating from Lee High School. He married La Nita Burge; and they had one child Karla. He then married Christine Franklin; and they had two children Nicholas and Andrew.

Karl worked in the equipment sales and rental industry for most of his life beginning with Bob’s Rental Company, Metro Equipment, and finally with ASCO. He earned the trust, respect and admiration of his employers, coworkers and, most important to him, his customers. He was loved dearly by his family, friends and business associates. He will be remembered for his ability to listen, advise and guide those who came to him for help with any issue, as well as his sense of humor. He could make everyone laugh, especially when they most needed to. He was active in civic events such as the Make A Wish Fishing Tournament and ASCO’s Annual Charity Events which has benefited many different organizations over the years, including ASCO’s Football Madness. He enjoyed sports of all kinds. He especially loved going to Longhorns, Cowboys, and Rangers games with his sons. He also loved fishing with his sons and participating in fishing tournaments with his brother. He was an avid reader, with his grandpup, Midge at his feet. He went to COM for water exercise every morning with his sister. He looked forward to his weekly lunches with his daughter. After retiring, the highlight of his day was picking his youngest grandchild, Briley, up from school, and their weekly trip to Sonic. He loved his wife of 45 years, and worked with her to raise their three children, and to participate in the raising of their six grandchildren, into happy, healthy, responsible, and productive adults and members of society. He was most proud of, and loved each of them, deeply.

Karl is survived by his wife Christine Van Cleave, daughter Karla Williams (Jason), son Nick Van Cleave (Amber), son Andrew Van Cleave, grandsons Thomas Williams and Hunter Van Cleave, granddaughters Krystal Rowland, Makenzie Grimes (Jake), Shaylee Williams, and Briley Van Cleave, great grandchildren Kimberly Sawyer and Palyn Grimes. He is also survived by his brother Ricky Van Cleave (Deborah), sister Sherry Howle, sister-in-law Joyce Boren (Don), sister-in-law Nancy Pendleton (Danny) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Karl is preceded in death by father Harley Van Cleave, mother Pat Van Cleave, stepfather Kim Lewis, brother-in-law Glenn Howle, and sister-in-law Doris Van Cleave.

The family would like to express their gratitude towards the Midland Health Staff, Gentiva Hospice, Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Staff, and to all our friends and family for all the prayers, thoughts, and good wishes. We are most grateful to God for providing strength, love, and peace to all who grieve the loss of our most loved, Karl, who said to us, “Send me out in style, then have a party. Don’t cry; celebrate our life with laughter, and I will be with you always, in that laughter.”

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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