Joel Francis Klinger, age 63, of Cleveland, Georgia, passed away October 02, 2013 at his residence from complications of cancer.
He was born in Berlin, Wisconsin on August 31, 1950, the son of Joyce Marie Klinger of Wautoma, Wisconsin and the late Francis Lawrence Klinger. He grew up in Wautoma, Wisconsin, graduating from Wautoma High School and The University of Wisconsin – Platteville. He joined the U.S. Naval Reserve, retiring after 22 years with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He worked for IBM for 13 years performing mainframe field service. He also worked in shipboard electronic maintenance, industrial maintenance management and most recently in Technical Support for AutomationDirect.com. His interests included gardening, Amateur Radio, restoring antique vehicles, guns and electronic equipment.
In addition to his father, Mr. Klinger was also preceded in death by a brother, Jerome Klinger and a daughter-in-law, Barbara Klinger.
In addition to his mother, he is also survived by his wife, Theda Campbell Klinger; son, Stephen Klinger; daughters, Joy (Nick) Clark, Hope ( Terry ) Sorge, and Lori (Curtis) Manis; stepdaughters, Melanie Padgett and Melissa (Vaughn) Bauman; eight grandchildren, Amber Padgett, Christine Klinger, Dayrian, Kennedi, Bryan, Nicole, Irie and Isla; one great grandson, Lucien Celis; brothers, Kirby (Diane) Klinger, Kevin Klinger and Damon ( Donna) Klinger,.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Appalachian Trail Association, the American Radio Relay League ( Silent Keys), the NRA or the Boy Scouts, or the USS Wainwright Memorial Fund. Please mail all donations to P.O. Box 2454, Cleveland, Georgia 30528.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, Georgia 706
The team misses you every day Joel.