(1959 – 2024)
Joseph D. Cleckler began his career in February of 2010 in the Maintenance Department of The Alabama 4-H Center. Joseph was kind to everyone, a hard worker, and had the best rapport with all team members and guests. Joseph was always on time. Tornados or icy roads did not stop him from being at work.
Storms blew trees over everywhere and knocked out power in our area around the 4-H Center. Joseph would still be the first person at the property and already coming up with ways to keep things working…sometimes unconventional methods. He would rig generators to the walk-in coolers to keep from losing food items. He helped one of the schools whose bus broke down while on property. Joseph got them up and running and back on the road.
As one of only two maintenance staff at a facility as large as the 4-H Center, Joseph was always busy repairing something. He always had the best attitude, no matter what the task. His knowledge of the 4-H Center property (both above ground and below) was amazing and is still missed to this day.
Joseph could make a hard day pleasant. A staff colleague remembers: We would often hear a knock or animal sound coming from the lobby at the front office. We would start looking, only to find Joseph. Even after he retired, there was a day that we heard an owl. We all got up to look, saying that it sounds like Joseph. After a few minutes of searching to see where the sound was coming from…we found him. He had stopped by to visit us.
Another co-worker commented: On the first day on my job at the 4-H Center, Joe welcomed me, and he made me feel a part of his family. He was always the same. He was always happy, always smiling, and always loving his family.
Joseph had a heart for service, at work, in his community and truly any person he came across. Joseph’s heart of gold is sorely missed.
In recognition of his years of service, the name of Joseph D. Cleckler is inscribed on the dedicatory plaque of the Extension Memorial Chapel.
Chapel Plaque Inscription Number: 682
