Jesse S. "Red" Cleveland

Jesse Stewart “Red” Cleveland, 93, the first manager of the Sanford Airport, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2016. Born in Cisco, Texas, he came to Sanford early in his naval career and called it home after serving in the Pacific during WWII.

Red married Elizabeth Virginia Pippin of Sanford in 1945. Following her death after 34 years of marriage, he married Eloise Collins of Sanford in 1981, who died in 2003. In 2014 he married Bernice Louis in Heathrow, where they enjoyed life and were totally devoted to each other.

Red’s military service from 1942-1968 included multiple fighter squadrons (awarded Distinguished Flying Cross), Project HAIR, Air Intelligence Officer on Staff of Commander Carrier Division Four, Flight Training Instructor, Air Operations Officer on U.S.S. Lexington, Air Operations Officer on the Staff of the Commander Naval Air Force Atlantic, and finally Executive Officer of the Sanford Naval Air Station. He retired with the closing of the base in 1968.

In 1969, he was asked by Sanford officials to convert the former military field into a vibrant civilian airport. He retired as the Sanford Airport Manager and Director of Aviation with distinction in 1988. In 1995 the Sanford Airport Authority named the new airport terminal access road in his honor—“Red Cleveland Boulevard.”

Red’s additional community service and distinctions included: former elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Sanford, Past President of Sanford Rotary Club, Past President of Sanford Rotary Breakfast Club, Past President of Florida Airport Managers’ Association, Past President of Southeastern Airport Managers’ Association, Past Member of Board of Directors of the Greater Sanford Chamber of Commerce, member of the American Association of Airport Executives, Retired Officers Association, Fleet Reserve Association, Elk’s Club, plus the military’s Ancient Order of Quiet Birdman and Caterpillar Club. He also received the John S. Krider Memorial Topper Award and was a Pa