Local businessman, fundraiser John Cleek Sr. dies Wednesday
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) -
John Cleek Sr., a local businessman with decades of experience and charity fundraiser passed away Wednesday in Columbia.
Cleek's son, John Cleek Jr., told ABC 17 News that "Tiger John" Cleek Sr. died at 1:21 p.m. at University Hospital after battling ALS. Cleek took over the family's home furnishing and rental company Cleek's in 1973.
Cleek helped raise money for ALS advocacy in August, more than a year after his diagnosis with the deadly disease. The Cleek family has also helped raise money for families affected by autism.
The Cleek business has operated in Missouri since 1956, when Cleek Sr.'s father opened the appliance and food store. . Cleek Sr. began working in the store starting at age 15, and began work as a salesman when he turned 18. He and his father, Elmo, shared a love of supporting the University of Missouri Tigers athletics teams. The website said John would take over the business in 1973 when his father died in a plane crash returning to Columbia from a football game at Iowa State.
"Suddenly, at the age of 23, John had lost his father, his boss, and his best friend," the website said. "Married, with a [two-and-a-half] year old son, John knew he had to pull himself together and support his family including his mother and 12-year-old sister. Relying on those late night sessions with his dad, John kept the business going and continued the tradition of predicting MU football games."
Cleek's team at the ALS Association's Walk to End ALS raised the most money of any team at the event. The Tiger Team raised $65,000 to help the group advocate and educate people on the disease also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
"You know what it can't do?" Cleek said of his ALS diagnosis at the event. "It can't hurt my spirit."
