Major Reginald Ernest Clevett II, 87

Major Reginald Ernest Clevett II, 87, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, retired Salvation Army Officer and Minister of the Gospel, passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 17, 2016. Ernie was born in Welch, W.Va., to the late Reginald E. Clevett I and Dorothy Winkler Clevett, on July 21, 1928.

From an early age, he always wanted a horse of his own. At the age of 8, he got one … a stick horse! In his youth, Ernie was a rodeo barrel racer until the girls took over the event. The last rodeo he participated in was the “Grand Daddy of ’Em All” in Cheyenne, Wyo., for Frontier Days.

Just prior to his 18th birthday, in 1946, Ernie was commissioned and ordained as a Salvation Army Officer in Atlanta, Ga.

Ernie joined the U.S. Navy Reserves in 1947, while still serving as a Salvation Army Officer. In 1948, during the Korean War, he was activated. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in December 1952. In 1952, he married Willa Bacon.

As a Salvation Army Officer, together with his wife, Willa, they served in several appointments throughout the Southern Territory. In 1967, they moved to Phoenix, Ariz., where they commenced their service in the Western Territory. Their appointments varied from County Commander, Divisional and Territorial Appointments in Intermountain, Southwest and Southern California Divisions and at Territorial Headquarters. For nine years he held the position of Territorial Community Relations and Development Director from which he retired in 1993. Soon after retirement, Willa went to be with her loving Savior.

In 1995, he married Major Juanita Birks. Together they traveled the U.S. conducting Evangelistic Campaign Meetings as the “Singing Evangelists.” From 1997 to 2000, they accepted several post-retirement appointments in the Southern Territory as Corps Officers and Mentors. In addition, they accepted several post-retirement appointments in the Western Territory. In 2004, they moved to Coeur d’Alene where they currently reside.

An avid musician, Ernie was a member of numerous Salvation Army bands including The New York Staff Band, The Southern Territorial Staff Band, and The Salvation Army Hollywood Tabernacle Band. A prized possession is his Bandmasters Certificate signed by Bandmaster and arranger Eric Leitzen. As a young man he would play in jazz sessions with Al Hirt and Pete Fountain at the “Hole in The Wall Club” in New Orleans.

Blessed with a singing voice, Ernie loved to sing and tell stories. His enthusiasm was infectious as he combined these two loves leading Hymn Sings at the Coeur d’Alene Kroc Center and The Salvation Army Spokane Corps.

Ernie was an active member of the Rotary International for more than 50 years. In 1995, he received a 50-year perfect attendance award.

He was preceded in death by his late wife, his mother, his father and two sisters, Evangeline and Winifred.

He is survived by his wife, Juanita of Coeur d’Alene; his sisters, Betty (Jimmy) Graham and Dorothy (Jack) Nelson; his sons, Reginald E. (Dorla) Clevett III and Howard E. Birks Sr.; his daughters, Judi (Forrest) Anderson, Stephanie Dennis, Sheryl (Randall) Clarke, Susan (Jimmy) Williams and Sandra (Frank) Canez; 27 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and many other extended family members.

There will be a celebration of life service at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2016, at The Salvation Army Coeur d’Alene Kroc Corps Community Center, 1765 W. Golf Course Road, Coeur d’Alene. Please visit Ernie’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.