John R. Clites
Bedford
John R. “Johnny Ray” Clites died Sunday, January 20, 2025, after a brief illness, in his home in Bedford.
Born in Cumberland, Md., to the late Helen Emerick Clites and Raymond Clites, John grew up in Hyndman, where he attended and graduated from Hyndman High School in 1966.
He enlisted in the United States Navy, while still in high school, during the Vietnam War, and served 2 tours of duty on the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier, which is currently drydocked as a museum in the New York City harbor.
Mr. Clites met his wife, Dr. Joan Lesako Clites, RN, while attending computer school in Pittsburgh.
As he was winding down his Navy service, John then took a job with what was then known as West Penn Power at the Hatfield Ferry Power Station in Masontown, working his way up from laborer to electrician to manager of the Lake Lynn Power Station in Lake Lynn, until his retirement.
While working full time, John earned degrees from Penn State University in Uniontown, and Waynesburg University in Waynesburg.
While living in Carmichaels for 35 years, Mr. Clites played on several golf and bowling leagues. He was a life- time member of the American Legion in Masontown, and the Oscar Jordan VFW Post in Hyndman. He also served for a time as a member and secretary for the Cumberland Township Parks and Recreation Board in Carmichaels.
Upon retirement, John sold real estate in Uniontown; Des Moines, Iowa; Harrisburg; and Belle Vernon.
A move with his wife to Van Meter in 2009 led to his living on the Greater Allegheny Passage bike trail, where he could often be seen riding his bike or walking his beloved dog, Reagan.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Clites is survived by his daughter, Diana Clites Clapper and son- in-law Troy, and grandchildren, Codi and Nathan Clapper, all of Buffalo Mills; sister, Karen Clites Sisk and husband Paul of Hyndman; brother-in-law, Paul Lesako and wife Rachelof Carmichaels; brother-in-law, David Lesako and wife Miriam Rubin of Ghent, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Susie Martin and husband Kevin of Rices Landing; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins both in the United States and England.
Family and friends will be welcomed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, January 24, in the PAUL M. LESAKO FUNERAL HOME, INC., 204 Dowlin Avenue, Carmichaels, PA 15320 (724-966-5100), Paul M. Lesako, owner / supervisor, with a short celebration of life to be held at 12 noon.
If friends so desire, memorial contributions may be made, in memory of John, to the Bedford County Humane Society, 182 Bohn Road, Bedford, PA 15522; or the Greene County Humane Society, 183 Jefferson Road, Waynesburg, PA 15370.
Condolences may be expressed at www.lesakofuneralhomeinc.com and the Paul M. Lesako Funeral Home Facebook page.
Arrangements by Paul Lesako Funeral Home, Inc., 204 Dowlin Avenue, Carmichaels, PA 15320.