Cletis served in the U. S. Marine Corps during the Korean War Cletis D. Upshaw, son of Deward Alsup and Elaine Upshaw and the adopted son of H.A. and Clara Belle Upshaw, was born on March 10, 1929 in Douglas County, Missouri and departed this life on November 17, 2008 at his home in Norwood, Missouri at 79 years of age.
Cletis grew up in Douglas County and attended the Denlow School and later the Mtn. Grove School and graduated from Mtn. Grove in 1947. He was united in marriage to Zelda Heard in 1949. Two children, Teresa “Terri” and Mark were born to this union.
Cletis served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War and was honorably discharged on March 24, 1954.
He was known as a hard worker all his life. He worked on the family farm in Douglas County and later became employed with the United States Postal Service in 1958 in Norwood as a mail carrier and retired in 1999. Following his retirement he enjoyed going to the local cafe and visiting with his many friends and spending time with his family.
Cletis was a kind father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He will be truly missed by those who knew and loved him. His family and friends will miss his stories about the past and his vast knowledge of the Upshaw and Alsup families and history of Douglas County.
Besides his parents and adoptive parents, he was preceded in death his daughter: Terri Cole on November 4, 2005; two brothers: Barker Shannon and Dean Alsup; and by one sister: Geraldalee Roy.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law: Mark and Chris Upshaw of Norwood, Missouri; one brother: Burton Alsup of the State of California; one sister: Pat (Alsup) Hardman of the State of California; three grandsons: Justin Cole of Cabool, Missouri, Nick Cole of Ebson, Kansas and Luke Upshaw of Norwood, Missouri; four granddaughters: Amy Kembel of Jackson, Missouri, Glenda Dawson, Marcie Upshaw, and Jamie Upshaw all of Norwood, Missouri; five great-grandsons: Dilyan Caudill, Corey Dawson, Rodney Dawson, Mason Page and Wyatt Bolfing; six great-granddaughters: Kelsey Caudill, Keayra Dawson, Cheyenne Parsons, Morgan Upshaw, Randilee Parsons and Patricia Jones; nieces; nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Online condolences: www.craig hurttfuneralhome.com
Memorial services for Cletis Upshaw will be held on Friday, November 21, at 2 p.m. in the Union Grove/Caudle FWB Church in Norwood with Rev. Dale Garrison officiating. The Kelly Family will provide music. Burial will be in the Denlow Cemetery with full military honors. Arrangements are under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove, Missouri.
The family requests that donations be given to the Denlow Cemetery or the Three Rivers Hospice in memory of Cletis c/o the funeral home.
