Tony Max Cleaver Sr.

Tony Max Cleaver, Sr. passed away on February 25, 2025, in Temple, Texas. He was born on December 8, 1943, in Jacksonville, Texas, to Maurice B. (Curley) and Sleetie (Sissie) Allen Cleaver. He married Jerrie Sue Kellar August 29, 1965. Cleaver was a staunch believer in and follower of Jesus Christ from age 12, and a minister of the gospel from age 20. The only epitaph that he ever wanted was to be able to say of his life and accomplishments, “To God be the glory.”

Cleaver was a lifelong learner, beginning with his education in the Jacksonville, Texas public school system through a Doctor of Ministry Degree. At one point in his life, his dad asked, “Son, will you ever be done with school?” His educational accomplishments included graduation from Jacksonville High School, Baylor University (Bachelor and Masters), Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary (BMATS), Luther Rice Seminary (Doctor of Ministry), and United States Army Command and General Staff College.

His professional life was as varied as his many interests. He went to Baylor University as a pre-dental student, but in his junior year knew that God had a higher calling for him. At that point he changed his focus to religion and never looked back. Although he had many professional designations and occupations in his 60-year career, his primary focus was on the gospel ministry.

As a minister of the gospel, after seminary graduation he pastored churches in Texas and Mississippi. “In 1976 out of the blue” he joined the United States Army and became the first Army chaplain to represent the Baptist Missionary Association of America. He retired in the Army Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel.

His chaplaincy assignments included Chaplaincy Officer Basic Course, Fort Wadsworth and Fort Hamilton, New York; 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington; 34th Signal Brigade, Ludwigsburg, Germany; Officer Advanced Course, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; 2/1 Cavalry Division DISCOM, Fort Hood (Cavazos), Texas; US Army Chaplain Center and School, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; Southern European Task Force, 528 Signal Brigade, Cakmakli, Turkey; second assignment staff/faculty, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; and recalled to active duty 2003, US Army Garrison, 12th Aviation Brigade, Illesheim, Germany.

After his first retirement, the Cleavers moved back to Killeen, Texas. For the next 19 years Cleaver pastored and/or was interim pastor at churches in Irving, Jacksonville, and Copperas Cove, Texas. As recently as November 2024 he was a regular speaker for the Pearl Community Fellowship in Evant, Texas. One of his greatest joys in life was to preach the gospel; and he was especially blessed to have those sermons available on YouTube.

In his professional life after the Army, Dr. Cleaver completed a teaching certificate for the State of Texas Region XII and then qualified as a school counselor; he was a special education teacher in the Killeen Independent School District (KISD) and a counselor at Manor Middle School in Killeen. He was also a counselor in the Florence Middle School and director of the alternative school in the Florence Independent School District.

In 2001 the Lord provided him with a new opportunity in higher education. He joined the staff at Jacksonville College, Jacksonville, Texas, as Director of Development. That work allowed him the opportunity to travel over the State promoting the college. While at the college, he became the chair of the Religion Department, giving him the chance to do what he loved - to study and share the precious Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In 2008 he joined the staff at Central Texas College (CTC), Killeen, Texas. While there he was a counselor for workforce occupations.

He reached what he considered the zenith of his faith and professional journey when he became part of the Faculty at his theological alma mater, the BMATS, Jacksonville, Texas, in 2010. Online education had fascinated him since he first heard about it; and at BMATS he was able to see his vision come to full fruition in helping to establish an online presence for the Seminary. He delighted in his time at the Seminary until he retired at the end of 2023.

During his ministry, Dr. Cleaver began what was to become a vital part of his life. He wrote short essays about everyday life as he saw it, especially from the viewpoint of a minister and a teacher. Over the years those articles he wrote were published in various Baptist denominational newspapers. As his interest in technology had developed, he began to publish his articles in book form on Amazon; at the time of his death he had authored ten books on Amazon.

While living in Killeen, Dr. Cleaver was a supporter of local educational institutions by providing funds for scholarships and building projects at KISD, CTC, and Texas A&M Central Texas. He was also a volunteer at the Killeen Food Center; a charter board member for Habitat for Humanity, Greater Killeen area; board member for Killeen Arts Commission; and board member for Educational Service Center Region 12 Alternative Teacher Certification Program.

Next to his unwavering faith in God, Dr. Cleaver cherished his family. He is survived by his wife Jerrie Sue; daughter Amelia Cleaver Hartman and husband Michael; son Max Cleaver (Jr.) and wife Brandie; grandson Elliot Hartman and wife Alexis; grandson Silas Hartman; grandson Eli Cleaver; and only (and favorite) granddaughter Ava Reese Cleaver. Other beloved family members include his brother Shelley Cleaver; sister Polly Frederick and husband Craig Cooper; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services are scheduled for March 21, 2025. Celebration of Life is at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Killeen, Texas, with Visitation at 10:00 a.m. Committal service is at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Killeen, Texas at 3:00 p.m.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the scholarship fund at the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary, Jacksonville, Texas or the Killeen Education Foundation for the Cleaver Family Scholarship at https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLSQJR0YEQS74/checkout/CHHZLLTVVF26OIAG4NVTDO2B