Birth date: Feb 8, 1924 Death date: Sep 29, 2022
Cleatus A. Lebow, age 98, died peacefully the morning of Thursday, September 29th, 2022 at Baptist St. Anthony's Hospital in Amarillo, Texas. Memorial graveside services are scheduled for 3 PM Sunday, October 9, 2022 at Fairview Read Obituary
My parents both worked with Cleatus at the General Telephone Co. Regional Office in Memphis. I went to high school with Cleata and Jerry so this brings back lots of good memories. Remembering these times brings comfort when most needed during a loss. To his family, my sincerest condolences. Jim Reynolds MHS ‘63
I am very saddened by the loss of my dear friend Cleatus Lebow. He and his wife Joann were longtime friends since we went on the Honor Flight in 2008. We had many great times together and great visits at his home in Memphis. It was my great honor to walk to halls of Congress and accomplish with 4 others getting the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the USS Indianapolis survivors. I also had the pleasure of handing Cleatus his medal. It was very special! He is one of the most humble, unassuming and heroic men I have ever met. He is a True American Hero, and he will be dearly missed. Cleatus - I know you are having a glorious reunion with your shipmates and with Joann and Jack! Farewell my dear friend..... Love, Melissa Kalka
RIP Mr Lebow
It was my great honor and privilege to know Cletus Lebow. I will miss and treasure our weekly visits. I felt a special connection with him because my uncle, Robert Edward Coleman, was also a survivor. My favorite memory is the Memorial Day Ceremony when Blankets of Love Amarillo presented him with a naval blanket in memory of his shipmates - both those who did not survive and the survivors that had passed. Very thankful for his signature in my Indy books. Condolences to his family. 🙏♥️🙏
May you RIP Cleatus. One of the nicest survivors I had the pleasure to meet and get to know better. Fair winds and following seas brave sailor. You're home now with Jesus and Joan and your shipmates. Truly a hero to my wife and I always. Am so glad we got to see you in Texas at the 2022 reunion.
It was truly an honor to care for Mr. Lebow. And, to have been able to take him to Fredricksburg was a highlight for all of us at Ussery Roan Texas State Veterans Home. What a true hero he was....Lee Persefield
Cleatus Lebow was a great American Hero. God Bless his heart. He was my hero anyway.
Thank you Cleatus for sharing your experience with us from your time on the USS INDIANAPOLIS. I will be eternally grateful. In a book he said as he was walking off the side of the ship into the ocean he somehow knew he was going home to Abernathy Texas to his mama. Well Cleatus you can Rest In Peace with all your family members and you mama.
