Terry E. Cleland, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, died on Saturday, June 23, 2019 in a local hospital. He was medically retired from Troop D State Police where he served ten years as a Motor Vehicle Police Officer. Prior to that he was an officer with the Beaumont Police Department in Beaumont, Texas. He previously served in the U.S. Air Force for 3 ½ years, from which he was honorably discharged. He then attended and graduated from Northwestern State University where he was a member of the NSU football team. While a law enforcement officer in Lake Charles, he served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, then the U.S. Army Reserves for a combined total of ten plus years.
Terry was an avid sports enthusiast and enjoyed participating in a variety of sports. He was a certified scuba diver and dive captain, and led groups at various dive sites during his years in Beaumont, Texas. He also participated for a number of years in martial arts and kickboxing competitions.
Those surviving him include his loving wife of 44 years, Ruth Pierson Cleland, son Hunter Cleland of Lake Charles, daughter Alanna (Kit) and husband Matt Dragomanovich of Austin, Texas, grandson Hunter Jax Cleland of Lake Charles, brother Ronn Cleland of Portland, Oregon, niece April Cleland of Sacramento, California, nephew Lance Cleland and wife Erica and great nephew Emilio of Portland, Oregon. Terry was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be greatly missed.
Preceding him in death were his parents Robert and Sylvia Cleland.
Special friends of long standing include Al Phillips of Zachary, Louisiana, Billy Singletary of Beaumont, Texas and Pat O’Carroll of Jacksonville, Florida.
A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held 12pm, Saturday, July 7, 2018 in Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles, 3001 Ryan Street. The family will received friends 10am - 12pm on Saturday in the funeral home. Terry was a member of University United Methodist Church of Lake Charles and those wishing to honor his memory may make donations to UUMC to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.
