Travis James "TJ" McCleary, 47, of Brookings, OR, passed away Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at the Bradford Regional Medical Center.
Born on June 12, 1977, in Bradford, he was a son of Cathy (Tsepelis) McCleary and the late Michael Daniel McCleary.
TJ was a 1995 graduate of Limestone Union Free High School.
On September 12, 1995, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and served for 20 years until his retirement on September 30, 2015. During his time with the United States Coast Guard he earned the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Coast Guard Unit Commendation Ribbon with Four Gold Stars, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon with One Gold Star, Coast Guard Rifle Marksman Ribbon, Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation Ribbon with One Gold Star, Coast Guard "Ribbon", National Defense Service Medal with One Bronze Star, Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon, Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation, Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal with Four Gold Stars and the Department of Transportation 9-11 Ribbon. He earned an associate’s degree in science from Vincennes University while in the service. After he retired from the Coast Guard, he worked as a Correction Officer for the Gold Beach Sheriff’s Office in Gold Beach OR.
He enjoyed riding motorcycles, side-by-sides, spending quality time with his family and friends, and his best pal Khloe.
Surviving in addition to his mother, Cathy (Rob Freeman) McCleary of Bradford, one daughter, Jaide Elizabeth (Kenneth Francis) McCleary, one son, Connor Wayde James McCleary, two grandchildren Athena "Nina" Catherine Francis and Kenneth James "KJ" Francis, one niece, Ashley (Chad Rimer) McCleary, three grand nieces, Lydia, Lucene, Lyris, and one grand-nephew, Linden, all of Brookings OR, one brother, Michael Daniel (Stephanie McCormick) McCleary Jr., of Bradford, his maternal grandmother Marlyn (Kuhns) Tsepelis, aunts, Cindy (James Searle) Parham, Jamie Reinhardt, uncle, James (Kathy) Tsepelis.
He was preceded in death by his father, Michael Daniel McCleary, who died April 25, 2022, his maternal grandfather, James Tsepelis.
Family will receive friends on Monday August 5, 2024, from 3pm to 6pm at 670 Parkside Drive, Limestone NY.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the SPCA, or a charity of donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral
Homes Inc.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com