Otha Hansel Cleere stepped into eternal Glory into the arms of his Savior and his child bride on the morning of November 23, 2022, at the age of 88.

A graveside funeral service was held in Ebenezer Cemetery on Saturday, November 26, 2022, with Brother Ray Seckinger officiating.

Othie, or Hansel, (his names were interchangeable) was born December 9, 1933, in Comanche County, Texas, to Othah Benjamin and Beulah Faye Lamberth Cleere. He graduated from Comanche High School in 1952. He then served in the United States Army from 1952 until 1956 in Korea and Japan. He was a Specialist 2nd Class E5 and was awarded the National Defense Medal. He was a mechanic in the military and then was promoted to a mechanic instructor to conclude his service.

Othie married Evelyn Joyce Sides on January 8, 1956. She preceded him in death on November 2, 2011. They were blessed with three children: Tommy Lynn, Randy Brent, and April Dawn; and four grandchildren: Jessica Leanne, Adel D'Lin, Darian Nicole, and Otha Brent. They gained some bonus grandchildren along the way, and now have 12 great-grandchildren.

In his civilian life, Othie was employed as a mechanic for Clemons Motor Company multiple times in between his active military service. In 1957, he was employed for Frank Kent Cadillac. Later, he and Joyce owned Cleere's Automotive in De Leon for eight years. After retiring from his mechanical career, he farmed and ranched peanuts, watermelons, and cattle from 1963 until 2019. Raising large watermelons was one of Othie's greatest joys in life. He began reading meters for the Comanche Electric Co-op with Joyce from age 62-73 and drove a silage truck for his son-in-law, Scott Biggs, to stay busy.

Othie served as a Deacon at First Baptist Church in De Leon since 1980 and served as a ministerial translator within the local Baptist community. He and Joyce enjoyed traveling all over the United States. In his spare time, Othie loved to play 42 with his family and friends and loved hunting and fishing (in his last years especially with his grandchildren). He was the absolute best at telling stories, and you never heard the same one twice unless you asked him specifically to tell it again. Othie taught his family how to love unconditionally. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, and dedicated servant of the Lord. He will be missed beyond measure by his family and many loving friends.

He is survived by his children, Tommy Cleere (Shareese), Randy Cleere, and April Terry (Keith); grandchildren, Jessica Riley, Justin Riley, D'lin Cagle, Colt Cagle, Darian Abels, Dakota Abels, Brent Cleere, Ireland Hugg, Eli Terry, Lauren Terry, Jessica Berta, Dwayne Berta, Clint Vera, Kayla Vera, Samantha Sadberry, and Austin Sadberry; great-grandchildren, Ashton Stewart, Zayden Parker, River Riley, Alyssa Riley, Mason Abels, Ira Abels, Asher Terry, Abigail Berta, Anabelle Berta, Weston Berta, Kaydence Vera, Kylie Vera, and Stetson Sadberry; sister, Virginia Archer; sister-in-law, Georgia Cleere; and other extended family.

Othie was preceded in death by his loving wife, Evelyn Joyce Sides Cleere; parents, Othah Benjamin Cleere and Beulah Faye Lamberth Cleere; five brothers and three sisters; parents-in-law, Doc and Elzie Sides; son-in-law, Scott Biggs; brother-in-law, Norman Sides; and sister-in-law, Shirley Sides.

The Cleere family would like to thank his compassionate nurses, Rhonda and Connie, for their attentive care and love in Otha's final years. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Ebenezer Cemetery (c/o Terrill Casey - 2350 CR 450, De Leon, Texas 76444) in memory of Otha.