Cleatus A. Lebow's Obituary
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 Cemetery Chapel in Memphis with Rev. Daniel Downey officiating.
Cremation and arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Memphis.
Cleatus was born in Happy, Texas on February 8, 1924 to Samuel Houston and Minervia Lebow and was one of 11 children. He is preceded in death by his parents and 8 siblings, and is survived by two sisters, Tressie Lebow Snider of Lubbock, Texas and Oleta Lebow Buzbee of Redmond, Oregon.
He was married to Norma Ruth Crow from 1941 to 1965. He was married to Joan Edwards from 1966 until her death in 2021. He resided in Memphis, Texas until moving to the Ussery Roan Texas State Veterans Home in Amarillo.
Cleatus was a survivor of the USS Indianapolis sinking in WWII. He served as a fire control technician, Petty Officer Third Class when the Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine and sunk on July 30, 1945. He was among 316 who survived and spent nearly 5 days in the water before being rescued. Weeks after their rescue, Cleatus (along with the other survivors) was presented the Purple Heart by Admiral Spruance while in Guam recovering. The USS Indianapolis Crew was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal on 75th Anniversary of Sinking in 2020.
After the Navy, Cleatus worked for GTE for over 35 years and then continued as a contractor for another 10. He retired in 1995.
He is survived by his two daughters Sonja Lebow Rosson of Mineola, Texas, Cleata Anne and Roy Crutchfield of McKinney, Texas, and a son Jerry Lebow of Pampa, Texas, grandchildren Pepper Pippin, Tim Pippin, Jeff Reeves, Trisha Hughes and Tracy Lebow, great grandchildren Austin Lebow, Kayla Lumley and Keenan Hughes and great-great grandchildren Creed Lumley, Colton Lumley and Tripp Hughes, all of whom brought him great joy.
The family extends sincere gratitude to his care team in Memphis, to Lee Persefield and the Ussery Roan Texas State Veterans Home and staff who cared for him and to the USS INDIANAPOLIS CA-35 Legacy Organization for their tireless dedication to promote and perpetuate the memory of all who served on the USS Indianapolis.
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to the USS INDIANAPOLIS CA-35 Legacy Organization.
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