Derald Eugene Vancleave

In Memory of
Derald Eugene Vancleave

1960-2016

Derald, age 55, went to be with our Lord and Savior on April 22, 2016. Fighting the good fight against mouth cancer, receiving 33 radiation treatments before Christmas 2015.

He is survived by his Mother Jeanette Vancleave of Aurora, CO, Brother Don Van Cleave, of Washington, Brother David Van Cleave, Sister-In-Law Kris Orblom of Lochbouie, CO, Sister Deanna Carder, and Brother-In-Law Tobey Carder of Aurora, CO, several Nieces, Nephews and Great Nieces and Nephews and Cousins. He is preceded in death by his youngest Brother Dwaine Van Cleave and his Father Don Van Cleave Sr.

Derald was born on August 9, 1960, in Santa Monica, CA. Moved with his family in 1962 to Santa Maria, CA and moved again in November of 1969 to Littleton, CO, where he enjoyed attending school, playing baseball, scouting and camping in the US and Canada, and deer hunting with his father.

After his enlistment in the Navy, Derald married Laura Waski and earned his GED. While in the Armed Services, from January 26, 1981 to December 3, 1986, he served as a Store Keeper and saw many wonderful places during his tours, however, he was injured, causing him to have several seizures and was discharged from the Navy.

Derald had several girlfriends after his divorce, but one stands out, her name was Crystal and she was able to assist him in getting his full military benefits as a 100% disabled Veteran. After, several additional accidents, the VA declared him unfit to live on his own and on August 2007 the Court appointed his Mother Jeanette to be his Guardian and Conservator; following an exhaustive search the VA found Spearly Nursing Facility, where he has received excellent care for over eight years.

Derald and his Mother enjoyed going out a couple of times a week for lunch at his favorite place, McCoys, as the manager, owner and staff were always friendly and helpful and made him feel like part of a family especially during his time when he was fighting cancer. When weather permitted, Jeanette would rent a Harley Davidson Trike and often took him for rides which he enjoyed.

In 2011 Derald advised Jeanette that he wanted to purchase one of the Harley Davidson Trikes they had been renting, so, when the Trike was available they did. Riding the Trike and knowing it was his made him very happy. They shared many hours just riding the back roads. Everyone that Derald met along the way loved his joy for life.

On June 5, 2015, Derald lost part of the middle finger of his left hand to cancer, and tragically, during this time, his younger brother Dwaine passed away from a motorcycle accident further adding to the sadness felt by Derald. Six weeks later Derald was diagnosed with cancer of his tongue. Derald endured partial removal of his tongue, gums, and lymph nodes with subsequent radiation treatments which caused him to end up in the hospital twice almost dying both times, they lasted to mid-December of that same year making the holidays rough for Derald and his family.

Derald had a seizure and possible stroke in March 2016, causing him to sink into a deep sleep and unresponsiveness, but his vital signs remained good. After two days Spearly, sent him to Denver Health Hospital. After 10 days Derald opened his eyes and became responsive to stimulus. On march 31, 2016 the hospital sent Derald home, and in April after much consideration his mother decided that she and Spearly were in need of help in caring for Derald so he was admitted into the Hospice Care Program.

A Funeral service will be held for Derald on May, 2, 2016, viewing from 9:00AM-10:00AM, funeral service 11:00AM, reception 11:00AM - 12:00PM all at South Suburban Christian Church, 7275 S. Broadway, Littleton, CO 80120. Burial to be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 1:00 PM Staging Area "A". If you ride a Motorcycle please come on it (weather permitting) as Derald would have loved the sendoff.



In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to spearly@junipercommunities.com or the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org as they were all so instrumental in making Derald comfortable.

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