EDWARD HOMER CLEARY

Services for Eddie Cleary, 74, of Kilgore will be eleven o'clock a.m., Friday, April 21, 2006 at the Rader Funeral Home Chapel. Mr. Cleary died at his home after a long illness and many years of pain on the morning of Tuesday, April 18, 2006.

Eddie was a native Kilgoreite, born on Sept. 17, 1931 to Dan and Norma Cleary. Eddie grew up in Laird Hill and at a very early age spent many hours working alongside his father, uncle and brothers in the family business, Kilgore Rental Tools.

Rumor has it that in elementary school, Eddie saw Clay Judy on the playground and told a group of his friends that he would marry her some day. After years of dating, his prediction came true and they were married on Oct. 12, 1952. Just months after their wedding, however, Eddie was drafted into the military and served time in the army in the Korean War. His first daughter, Susan, was born while he was overseas and was a year old before he ever laid eyes on her.

Upon returning home, Eddie continued working at Kilgore Rental Tools and he and his wife Clay had two more daughters, Caren and Jeanie.

In the late sixties Eddie and Clay realized a life-long dream of opening their own business, Cleary Power Tongs, Inc. After many years of struggle, together they built an honest, successful business that spanned thirty years and helped to subsidize many families who worked for them.

If anyone ever enjoyed their success, Eddie did. He and Clay traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad. But whether it was a cruise to the Bahamas or a simple dinner at home with his family, Eddie had a good time. His success also allowed him to be generous. He was a great believer in helping those less fortunate, most often without any acknowledgment or fanfare.

Eddie never met a stranger and he never met a dog he didn't like. Most importantly, however, he was a wonderful husband and father. And even during the earlier lean years, he taught his family that having style meant very little to do with having money. He also taught his family a great deal about compassion, loyalty, family ties, and the incredible power of laughter. He will be greatly missed.

Aside from his wife and daughters, Eddie is survived by three sons-in law, Calvin Sims of Tyler; Wayne Scroggins of Sugarland; and Fred Fifer of Dallas. And after years of being surrounded by four women, Eddie liked to joke that he finally had his own Casing Crew in his five grandsons, who all loved him dearly. Additionally, Eddie is survived by three siblings including his sister, Doris Lucas of Liberty City; two brothers Bill and his wife Betty Cleary and Jim Cleary of Kilgore. Additional survivors include his brothers and sisters in law, R.C. and Dee Judy of Longview, and Jim and Jean Stuart of Houston, along with other relatives and many friends.

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