PUCKETTE, Cleveland Lewis

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, May 12, 2004 Cleveland Lewis Puckette, II died at 67 years on May 10, 2004, in Phoenix. He was born in Louisville, Ky., on June 28, 1936, to John Elliott Puckette and Cleveland Landrum Lewis Puckette. In 1954, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy and upon graduation, joined the Air Force where he stayed for 23 years, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1961, he married Nancy Lee Smith of Big Spring, Texas, with whom he had two children. While in the Air Force, he received a master's degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Michigan. Cleve was a decorated F100 fighter pilot in Vietnam, receiving a Silver Star. He also served overseas in Germany, Japan and Korea. With his family, he lived in Germany, Michigan, Louisiana, Japan, Colorado, Nebraska and Virginia. After leaving the Air Force in 1981, he worked in the aerospace industry in Colorado Springs, Colo., for many years, until he retired in 1996. In retirement, he traveled extensively with his wife, spending two summers in Homer, Alaska, and other summers traveling across America and Canada. They wintered in Mesa and then Prescott. Always an avid sportsman and athlete, he spent much time hunting with friends. He was also able to pursue his longtime interest in pottery. He took classes while traveling, and at the Yavapai Community College, when they wintered in Prescott. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Smith Puckette of Prescott; his son and daughter-in-law, Steven Robert Puckette and Holly Joel Puckette, their children, Carrie Joel, Elliott Rinn and Skyler Lillian of Brooklyn, Wis.; his daughter, Linda Diane Puckette of Brooklyn, N.Y.; his brother, John Elliott Puckette of Dallas, Texas; and his sister-in-law, Jody Howell of Amarillo, Texas. Memorial services will be held on Thursday, May 13, at 2 p.m., at the Prescott United Methodist Church. The Camelback Sunset Chapel Funeral Home in Phoenix assisted the family with the arrangements. Information provided by survivors.