Rufus "Sonny" Edward McCleskey

On June 29th, 2025, the world lost a wonderful man. Rufus “Sonny” McCleskey was born on April 3, 1942, to Curtis and Estelle McCleskey in Ranger Texas, the second of four children. The family moved to Kelso Washington in the late 1940’s. Starting at the age of 14, he would spend summers working the fields in Yakima with his dad. As summer came to an end, he would drive himself home to start school in the fall. After the passing of his father at a young age, Sonny continued to work all through high school to help his mom support her young family. While working as an usher at the Kelso theatre, he met Carol Peterson in 1960, and they only had eyes for each other from that day forward. He graduated from Kelso High School in 1960. Shortly after graduation, he started working at Longview Fibre as a papermaker, and he remained there for 44 years.  He married Carol on August 3rd, 1963, and soon welcomed a son, Curtis and a daughter, Cindy. He would often work 2 jobs to support his young family, allowing Carol to stay home with the babies. In August of 1969, they moved into their first home in Winlock, and shortly after welcomed their third child, Jennifer. He helped coach softball and baseball, and as a member of the Jaycees, he played an integral role in building Winolequa Park in Winlock. He meticulously stenciled & hand painted the signs that lined the outfield of the original field. His children and grandchildren enjoyed playing on those fields for years to come.  For many years, he enjoyed week long elk hunting trips with his son, sons-in-law, and close friends. The stories that came from those trips are certainly not for children’s ears!  In 1977, he & Carol purchased a 12-acre plot of land and after many years of sacrifice and hard work, they built their dream home on that land in 1998. 

After his retirement in 2004, they enjoyed several years of “snow-birding” to Yuma. These trips were only a few months in the winter, as they both loved their home & family too much to be gone any longer. When the Yuma trips came to an end, they still enjoyed years of camping with their favorite places being the beach & Riffe Lake. Some of his children’s fondest memories growing up were of their camping trips. Later, as a grandpa, he created similar memories with his grandkids. 

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents Curtis and Estelle, brother Noble, sisters Judy and Ann, and granddaughter Erin. He is survived by his wife Carol of 62 years, his son Curtis, daughters Cindy (Shawn) O’Brien, Jennifer (Scott) Weinert, 13 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. 

He had a work ethic like no other, and he instilled this in his children. Anyone who knew him, knew that he was not as gruff as he often appeared. His sarcasm and sense of humor were unmatched. If you were lucky enough to be loved by him, you knew that his love was quiet yet so powerful, and his passing will forever leave a hole in our hearts.

An open house Celebration of Life will be held on August 2nd from 1-4 pm at the Winlock Senior Center, 119 SW Kerron St in Winlock. All who loved him are welcome to attend. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a memorial tree or donating to a children's charity of your choice.

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