John Phillips Cleland Sr. passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 7th in his home in Jacksonville, Florida. Phil was born to Dorothy Smith Coleman and Patrick Coleman in Duval County. After Patrick's death, Dorothy later remarried Captain John Belton Cleland of the United States Navy. Phil attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas obtaining a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering. Following college, Phil moved back to Jacksonville where he met Bette Parker Brown to whom he was married for over 30 years raising two wonderful boys in the Catholic faith. He served as an engineer with Keith and Schnars, P.A. for over 20 years as a key contributor to multiple projects involving the design and building of roads, bridges, and highways across the State of Florida. Notable projects Phil had worked on included the construction of the Dames Point Bridge as well as improvements and expansions on I-10, I-95, and I-295 within the Jacksonville area. In his personal life, Phil was an active volunteer for several organizations including the Boy Scouts of America and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Building Committee. Within the Boy Scouts, he served as the treasurer of Pack 304 for over 15 years, well after his sons had obtained the ranks of Eagle Scout. At Sacred Heart, Phil held an advisory position with the building committee playing a key role in overseeing the construction of several projects including the replacement of the main church building and parish hall. Phil is survived by his two sons John Phillips Cleland Jr. and Andrew Christopher Cleland. He dedicated his life to serving the community as well as raising his two sons, working to ensure they were instilled with a strong set of values, ethics and a continued commitment to their peers and community endeavors. The memorial service will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 11:00am on Wednesday ,January 15th located at 5737 Blanding Blvd in Jacksonville, Florida 32244. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made out to Boy Scout Troop 304 and sent directly to Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Arrangements entrusted to Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home 729 S. Edgewood Ave, Jacksonville.
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