"My sincere condolences to Jamie, Grady, and Gerald Cleckler. I can't begin to tell you anything you don't already know about your Mom except knowing her made me a better person. May you find some comfort knowing she is in the arms of the lord. God bless you all."
In loving memory of
Mary Jeanne Cleckler
February 22, 1933 - September 2, 2017
Mary Jeanne Madden Cleckler (Coach) passed away peacefully Saturday morning, September 2nd, 2017. She was born in Breckenridge, Texas on February 22nd, 1933 to Gerald and Roberta Madden and was the oldest of 7 children. She married James W. Cleckler (Cornbread) in 1954, both from Weslaco, Texas.
She was a graduate from Texas A&I in Kingsville, Texas with a physical education/health degree and began her coaching career in the valley. Coach Cleckler spent most of her coaching career at Mary Hoge Junior High School in Weslaco, Texas. She taught girls basketball, volleyball and track and field. Coach loved her players and always strived to make her athletes not only the best they could be on the field, but the best they could become off the field. Coach Cleckler's teams won countless district championships, tournament championships and track meet championships. Over the years, Coach loved hearing from her players/students and share their life successes.
For over 30 years, Coach Cleckler was an official/statistician for the Texas State High School Girls Basketball Tournament and the annual Texas Relays which determined the state's track and field championships. She and her husband, Cornbread, were also a basketball official team that refereed games from Brownsville to Roma across the Rio Grande Valley. Even with her family, coaching and official duties, Coach Cleckler went back to Pan American University and earned her Masters degree in Education in 1972.
In addition to her coaching career in Weslaco, in 1978 Coach Cleckler spent 8 years in the Round Rock School system serving as the athletic director. In 1984, she lost her loving husband, Cornbread.
Her enthusiasm for great competition and great sportsmanship translated into all the athletes and students she mentored. Coach Cleckler semi-retired and moved back to Weslaco after enjoying her time in the central Texas area. She taught health and substitute taught at Weslaco High School until her full retirement. As long as she was physically able, she continued to attend as many Weslaco sporting events as she could.
In addition to her coaching career, Coach Cleckler spent over a dozen years working at Kickapoo Kamp in Kerrville where she served as the nurse for all the girl campers which included many of her own granddaughters/nieces as well as her students she taught.
Weslaco ISD dedicated their new Cleckler-Heald elementary to honor Coach Cleckler and her fellow coach/lifelong friend, Dessie Heald. In 1995, she was also honored to be inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame.
One of the most important things to Coach was her love of Christ and her home church, the First United Methodist of Weslaco, where she praised God by singing in the choir for most of her life.
She is preceded in death by her husband Cornbread, her parents Gerald and Roberta Madden, her brother, George (Bubba) Madden and her daughter in law Sieglinde Cleckler (Jamie).
She is survived by her three sons, James (Jamie) M. Cleckler, Grady D. Cleckler (Elaine) and Gerald B. Cleckler (Kimberly). She is also survived by her siblings- Jerry (Dir) Madden (Mary Anne), Mike Madden, Jay Madden, Phyllis (Kee Kee) (David Russell) and David Madden (Jill). She is also survived by 2 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, 24 nieces and nephews, 49 great nieces and nephews and 8 great great nieces and nephews on the Madden and Cleckler side. She cherished her family dearly and loved them all unconditionally. To her family, she was affectionately known as "Nee Nee". Even with all of her many other responsibilities, she always put her family first in all things.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 6th, 2017 from 10am to 9pm at McCaleb Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 7th, at 10am. Burial will be held on Friday, September 8th, 3pm, at Cook-Walden Capitol Parks in Plugerville, TX.
Coach Cleckler will always be remembered as an inspirational, motivational teacher and coach, a caring and loving nurse and wife, and faithful Christian. By far, her most important accomplishment, was raising three boys and being a mom.
Tributes
"Rest in Peace my Sweet Golden Nugget! Mmmm, I wanna linger Mmmm, a little longer Mmmm, a little longer here with you. Mmmm, it's such a perfect night Mmmm, it doesn't seem quite right Mmmm, that this should be my last with you. Mmmm, and come September Mmmm, I will remember Mmmm, our camping days and friendships true. Mmmm, and as the years go by, Mmmm, I'll think of you and sigh. Mmmm, This is good night and not goodbye."
"Coach Cleckler was a very sweet and kind lady I remember her from Round Rock high I was an aid for her in the coachs office , she always made me smile. Love this lady??'?"
"I have mostly fond memories of Coach Cleckler. However, I can attest to the fact that she was a bit of a tease. I remember the day when she came into the locker room where we were all getting dressed and she made the comment that I didn't need that bra since all I had were mosquito bites!! Now that I'm 66 I can chuckle at that most embarrassing experience. She truly was a one on a kind and lived life with gusto!! I loved her then as I do now and earth just lost a little light. I hear that laugh and know she is in good company!"
"Coach!! One of best! Thoughts and prayers to the family. Linda L. Lozano Houston, Texas "
"Mrs Cleckler was such an inspiration to so many. Back in the day she was tough on students as a PE coach (in my moms era) & in 90-93 as a health teacher she gave me the unique perspective of loving health & wellness which possibly started me on a career in health care. I believe her legacy touched so many & sparked students to become positive role models --everyday World changers who would impact others to become leaders for generations to come. Thank you Mrs Cleckler & thank you Cleckler family for sharing your mom w us. We will miss you ma'am & I'm happy I got to hear your wisdom even in the twilight years of life. You always had a positive word for me, asked about the ministry & just shined ;) You are a gem ??'? *Our deepest condolences from the Paul Estrada family. *WHS -Class of 93"
"I have had the blessing of having Jeanne as a coach. She always pulled the best out of me and the other players. I admired her for her love for her family and Christian faith. We lost a beautiful woman, inside and out, but heaven gained a worshiper. Prayers of peace for her family. Nora Gray"
"Coach Cleckler shaped the lives of many young girls, including me, and showed us how to laugh at ourselves, be honest, tough and give our best. I remember how she told us all that if we kept carrying those heavy shoulder purses that we were going to have back problems later in life. She may have been right about that! "
"Coach Cleckler was one fun loving lady. I enjoyed going to Weslaco and playing against them..I can still hear that laugh of hers. Coach Cleckler and my coach Dora Sauceda are probably having a good ole time in heaven talking away about sports, family and all sorts of things. I had alot of respect for Coach Clecker and she loved giving me a hard time but always gave me a big hug, she was Weslaco sports. My thoughts and prayers are with her family."
"Coach Cleckler was my Cross Country coach at Round Rock High school. I often have thought of her and remembered what a firm but caring coach she was. If it had not been for her, I probably would not have graduated. I am sorry for your loss. I know she touched many lives."
"I'm so very sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to the entire family. You all know how special she was to so many people. May God wrap his arms around you all for comfort. She will be miss, but lots of wonderful memories will remain in all our mind. ((Hugs))"
"Thoughts and prayers to the family of Coach Cleckler. Weslaco ISD lost a legend. She touched many lives during her many years in Weslaco. "
"She was so funny. I was shy and very reserved in Health class in high school, and she took the extra step to make me blush out of pure entertainment. I never took it personal because I knew she was a fun-loving and goofy person. Not a single Pantherette game went down in the late 1980s and early 1990s that didn't have Ms. Desi and Mrs. Cleckler in the house. Mrs. Cleckler was a true staple of Weslaco and represents all that once was wonderful about Weslaco. Classy, fun, non-political, honest, God-fearing, and a person that had purple blood in her veins. She will be missed. Weslaco was blessed to have had you. Liz Gilliam"
"Mrs. Cleckler was an amazing woman and teacher. It was a privilege to know her. Always positive, upbeat and an amazing teacher. My thoughts and prayers are with her entire family."
"Nugget was my nurse, friend, mentor at Kickapoo Kamp for several years. She exemplified what a loving, grace-filled friend should be. Always faithful, always "for you", always willing to speak the truth in love, and often with humor. She will be missed, but leaves a beautiful legacy behind. "
"I will never forget being called into the auditorium of Round Rock Middle School for an assembly for girls that wanted to be in athletics in high school. This short, curly haired teddy bear of a lady stood in front of us and in a voice that could bend nails explained what it meant to be a Lady Dragon. Lady Dragons do not drink, smoke...... You will conduct yourself as ladies at all times. You represent RRHS at all times. And then in a most loving voice said, you can call me at anytime. If you are at a party and need to leave, if you are in a situation and made a bad decision...call me. I will come and get you. I will take you home. I will not yell at you, we can discuss it on Monday. My phone number is 836-LOVE. I never forgot that. When my parents went through some rough times/divorce, Coach Cleckler was there for me. I am a Girl Scout leader and my girls got pretty much the same speech and they know my phone number. I got a call one morning at 3 am. As I drove to pick up my girl I remembered Coach Cleckler. She was one of a kind. I am thankful for the 4 years I had with her at Round Rock High School. God blessed us when he sent Coach Cleckler to Round Rock High School. Peace of the Lord be always with you Coach."
"My condolences to the family. Jeannie was a very loved & respected coach. I'll never forget her. Cathy Gatton Ault"
"When you talk about living your life so to leave a legacy, you describe the very life of Jeanne (Coach) Cleckler. She loved us all as her own daughters. She disciplined us in a gentle heart. She demonstrated how to be strong and kind at the same time. I still have my basketball folder that taught me more about life than the possible lengths and widths if the court. Her list of expectations are still relevant to this day. God has his loving arms around a beautiful spirit. Rest your soul Coach. Rest your soul. "
"Our deepest condolences to the families on the passing of a great lady and friend. Her smile and loving personality made our classes so enjoyable. You will live in our hearts. Your friends from Donna, the Sauceda family. Rest in peace Coach."
"Condolences to the family."
"Coach Cleckler was my Mentor. She is the reason why I became a coach. God Bless the family. May God give you all the strenght to bare this terrible loss "
"An icon for all of us growing up in the 60s and 70s in Weslaco. She was multi-talented and humble, a rare combination as well as a powerful Christian example. And, she put up with freshman boys joining her female health class for "the film" in the early 70s!"
"I am so sad to hear of her passing. I loved Coach Cleckler and she made Health class fun. My condolences to the entire family. She will be missed "
"Nugget is my favorite memory of Kickapoo! Rest in peace!"
"Coach Cleckler was my hero. She should me that women are strong leaders and role model who taught me respect is earned. My condolences to the family and may she Rest In Peace. "
"She was a great gal who loved children and made a positive difference in all they're lives. May you Rest In Peace!!!"
"She was a great coach! I had the pleasure of being one of her students back in the day! I can still hear her saying, "come on Caballero you can do it! " RIP Coach! Caballero Family "
"Forever in our ?? and memory . Our condolences to the Cleckler boys and Madden family. ?? The Casas "