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JOHN RAYMOND Age 87, a resident of Albuquerque since 1949, died peacefully Thursday, August 09, 2012. He is survived by his sons, David Van Cleve of Aztec, NM and Ray Van Cleve of Tijeras, NM and Ray's deceased wife's sons, Monty and Brandon Foster; granddaughter, Amanda; siblings, J.D. Van Cleve and wife, Helen, Elizabeth Sawyer and Louise Clayton; numerous nieces and nephews who loved him dearly; and many other relatives and friends. John was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis on June 11, 2010; his parents, George B. and Fern E. Van Cleve; brothers, George T. Van Cleve on July 28, 2012 and Ralph B. Van Cleve; sister, Annis Van Cleve Anderson Olson; and daughter-in-law, Kathy Van Cleve on July 19, 2012. John was born on November 30, 1924 in Helena, MT, the youngest of seven children. His father died when he was four and his mother raised them all on the farm. John fondly remembered his mother "working" the butter. As a boy he delivered milk from the farm in Missoula at 10 cents a quart from the mixed herd he milked by hand. The family belonged to the Methodist Church. When the family moved from Helena to Missoula they traveled with their livestock by train. John entered the United States Navy in 1942 in Portland, OR where he served proudly for 32 months, being deployed four times to the Philippines as a member of the gunnery crew on the S.S. John Deare from 1943 to 1944 and the S.S. John Howard Payne from 1944 to 1945. While in the service he married his beloved wife Phyllis Walters on September 25, 1944. They were lovingly married for over 65 years. He loved fishing, traveling and ballroom dancing with his beautiful wife. John was very proud of the fact that he built the home he and Phyllis shared until their deaths. John was a member of American Legion Post #49 and the Elks Club. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at French - University Chapel on Monday, August 20, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Clyde Stanfield officiating. Interment will follow at Sandia Memory Gardens in Albuquerque. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 10501 Montgomery Blvd NE Ste 300 Albuquerque, NM 87111. Please visit our online guest book for John at www.RememberTheirStory.com. FRENCH 1111 University Blvd NE 505-843-6333
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