Obituary of Dallas Gene Cleveland

Dallas Gene Cleveland, beloved brother and uncle, departed this life on 27 July 2016 at the age of 60. Leaving behind lifelong challenges faced with courage and perseverance, Dallas Gene passed in his sleep and joins his devoted parents, Audrey Ivonne Osborn Cleveland and Ulysses S. Cleveland, in the grace and eternal peace of heaven. Born in Punta Gorda on 28 October 1955, he embraced life, those who cared for him, and those whom he loved, with a heartwarming smile and enduring curiosity. Enamored by comic books, he would often sit for hours, perusing his extensive collection through his magnifying glass, humming happily, and enjoying an endless supply of Tic-Tacs. Refusing to be defined by Downs Syndrome, instead, Dallas Gene lived his life fully, discovering his love for shooting basketball while living in the Philippines as an adult. Upon his return to the States, he lived happily and thrived at the Pinebrook Center in Venice. He is survived by his brothers, Neal and Keith, his sisters-in-law, Jackie Cleveland, Rebecca Cleveland, and Bobbie Vincent, and many nieces and nephews, all of whom loved him dearly. After a visitation at the Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home at 8:00 am on 5 August, Pastor Bob Carlson, who helped dedicate the Punta Gorda Post Office Building to Dallas's father on 2 June 2006, will preside over a graveside service on Friday, 5 August, at 9:00 am in the Charlotte Memorial Gardens. The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude and affection for the staff of the Pinebrook Center and, in lieu of flowers, asks well-wishers to consider, instead, a donation to Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) so they may continue to serve others, like Dallas Gene, who benefited so much from their care.