Edit by Peggy M: Many of the replies herein comment about meeting Cletis at the Reunions. HERE IS the link to the Stovebolt Annual Reunion in Kansas City (starting in 2005). You'll see lots and lots of stories and pictures that include Charlie. Besides taking pictures for Stovebolt, he also did a few stories to go with the events.
Another cool thing Charlie started was a thread called "Stovebolt Driving Report." Started in March 2012, and it had a long string of posts covering over 12 years. Honestly, there are so many bits and pieces of Charlie throughout the site, it's hard not to bump into him on a regular basis.
The Stovebolt Collect salutes you.
Last edited by Peggy M; 07/07/20243:54 PM.
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
Charley and Tony were the first members that I met.
Last edited by Peggy M; 12/24/20239:13 PM. Reason: added more info to the title
Redryder pix My Hotrod A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life." I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option.
Just got word Charlie "Cletis" Hardin, our good buddy and Moderator here on the Stovebolt passed over the weekend. Cletis will always be fixed in my mind as one of the best "ol' Truck Guys." Always willing to share his knowledge and offer encouraging words to others on their projects.
He will truly be missed in the old truck community and the universe at large.
The second picture here is part of his legacy, a picture of Xander (my son) sitting in his truck when we were at his place in TX. His willingness to help and shepherd the younger "truckers" of the world means he will live on through them for generations to come.
I had no clue that he was sick. I really don't know what to say. I didn't know him well, only through the site and one time in person at a reunion. He will be missed.
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion. Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
please pass along my sympathy to his family. This is a good reminder to live today like it could be your last, call that friend, visit someone, invite someone over for dinner and make it happen!
Charlie (Cletis) had been battling throat cancer for quite some time. It had been in remission for a couple of years but returned around Thanksgiving last year. Charlie chose not to do anymore Chemo. He was given 6 months. Always the fighter he proved the Drs wrong by a couple of months. Charlie did not want his situation to take away from the exchange of information on Stovebolt.com so he asked the few that knew to keep it confidential. Charlie was a wealth of information about our favorite trucks and shared willingly. Charlie was charged with moderating the General Truck Forum and did so with gusto. He diligently tried to make us all comply with the sites rules. Please take time to say a prayer for his wife and best friend June. RIP Cletis 🙏🏻
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
Darn, Charlie and June are great people. Sure hate to hear this
RIP my friend.
Don & Vicki King
Last edited by Peggy M; 11/16/20233:38 PM.
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery 1946 2-Ton grain truck 1946 3/4-ton pickup, 1953 1-ton pickup 1957 1-ton flatbed dually, 1954 Pontiac Straight Eight Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
Charley never spoke of it but he was also awarded a purple heart from actions in Nam, messed up his hearing from incoming.. he also made it thru a kidney transplant some yrs ago, put a good fight with Cancer, that is a very hard fight to win..
Redryder pix My Hotrod A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life." I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option.
Had the pleasure of meeting Cletis and June a couple years in El Reno. We spent part of the time watching some races together. He was a really good guy and offered many helpful suggestions on working on my projects. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers his way and to June and family too.
Very sad to hear that. Very sad. I met him 3 or 4 times in Kansas City. Great guy, he will be missed. Condolences to June and the rest of the family. Leo
Only knew Charlie (Cletis) through this forum, he impressed me as being a bit crusty but helpful and knowledgeable. Gave me some great advise. Guess we know now why he was selling off his very nice GMC trucks and parts recently.
Had the pleasure of meeting Charlie in Kansas City 2 years ago and went out for dinner with him he had a love of music as well as Chevys may he rest in peace from Karen and Tim he called June sunshine which was fi
Cletis and I had a chat a while back and he told me of his situation. Time has gone by way to fast. I met him and June many years ago in K.C. We always looked forward to seeing them in K.C. and communicated many times over the years. I considered him a friend/ RIP Charlie and blessing for June as she goes through this.
Glad i got to meet him here in kansas city . Rest in peace Charlie !!
Tim
1951 3100 Chevrolet 1951 Chevrolet Suburban Carryall Image "A house is built with boards and beams. A home is built with love and dreams." "Look deep before you leap !!!" / "Everything is Everything" "If I say a mouse can pull a house, hitch him up"
A minute of silence tomorrow at 11:am would be nice if you can. It only takes a minute. Had many chats with Cletis in K.C., here on the bolt and by personal mail. Prayers are in order for June and children.
Thanks for the memories to Cletis and June. Met them many times and had many chats. Yes, he told me about his battle and how he was waiting to die. He faced it like a true fighter. Cletis, your legacy lives on brother.
After the tears have dried and the goodbyes have been said, all we have to hold onto are the happy memories that we've shared with our loved ones who have passed, this is what keeps them alive in our hearts and in our minds, and they will continue to live on, through us. My condolences. We will miss Cletis on the forum. Harold
If I may...I'd like to add a story about Cletis, AKA Charlie. As posted earlier, he and our better halves spent some time watching some races at El Reno, part of the SmallTown Weekend Annual Event. There was a lull in the action, so we got to "a bs'n" about the early years. I asked him how come he choose the Stovebolt handle of "Cletis"?. He said words along the lines that in Nam he and his buddies decided it was best to not use their real names in radio transmissions. He got a long off look, I'd seen many times before from my Dad. He didn't elaborate and I didn't ask, as it seemed best not to. (Charlie...the word, back in Nam had a different use, so my guess is the name change for then might have been related?) RIP Charlie!
I bought a service manual from him just a while ago, and he was willing to take a personal check for it. A good guy for sure.
RIP Charlie
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
I recall Charlie made mention of some health issue when he was selling off a bunch of his parts vehicles, but he did not want to go into the drama of his issues. I never met Charlie but certainly do respect his efforts on this site as he obviously had a mutual love for old iron. He will be missed. Farewell Stovebolt friend.
Only "knew" Charlie through this site, but I know his passing will leave a void. Thankful for guys like him who have passed on so much knowledge. Prayers for the family.
Just a suggestion ... as Charlie's family is not likely to read your condolence messages here, you might want to post them here, instead. He leaves a big family here -- let's turn out for him.
Thanks, John
Last edited by Peggy M; 12/24/20239:17 PM.
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
I second John's suggestion. You can leave a condolence message for the family to read. It only takes a couple of minutes and I'm sure it will be cherished by Charlie's family.
Last edited by Peggy M; 11/16/20233:42 PM.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
His was a very familiar name for me on the site. Sorry to hear he has passed on.
A day without laughter is a day wasted- Charlie Chaplin When wrestling a grizzly bear, you have to keep at it until the bear gets tired, not when you get tired. 1948 Chevy 2-Ton
Sorry to hear this. He was a class act. I always liked him. Always loved to see his red 55 with the flag in the back window. I remember some of the reunions back at the American Inn and him (and others) with a guitar. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDBBe1ubzaU
I am shocked and saddened to hear this news. Charlie was as nice and cool as he was knowledgeable. At Kansas City back in '08, I think it was, Charlie invited us to ride with him in his truck over to Jim Carter's. A true class act. I'll miss you cletis. And thank you also for the neat lighter with the Yellow Rose, I will always treasure it......
"Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just leave me alone, you're starting to freak me out."
I'm really sorry to hear about Charlie's passing. First time I ever met him was at the Pate swap meet. I introduced myself as the guy on Stovebolt.com named "Spotbiltxo" and he chuckled and said it was good to finally put a face with the name. I believe it was the very next year that I saw him there again and he was using a device he held at his voice box to be able to be heard when he spoke. I knew immediately that he had throat cancer but never said anything to him about it. The last time I ever saw Charlie was at the 2016 Decatur swap meet. I had been looking for a three speed tranny to replace mine with, and he had one that he brought for me.
He gave me a lot of advice and answered a lot of questions about my old truck, and I will always be grateful. He gave lots and lots of his spare time to monitor forums on Stovebolt.com and I will always appreciate that about him. We will miss him here!
Chuck 1950 Chevy 1/2 ton (all original) 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton (future streetrod) 1941 Chevy coupe 1938 Chevy coupe streetrod
He was the first one I think I ever talked to on Stovebolts and he started helping me in the right direction with my Dads old 51 GMC , He was full of knowledge that we will miss,See ya up Younder one day, and my prayers are out to the family and friends. MIKE
Cletis seems to me one of those characters that is simply always on the forum. It will seem a little bare here for awhile.
Karl
It may not be the easy way, but it is the Cowboy Way - Ranger Doug Beware of the stories you read or tell; subtly, at night, beneath the waters of consciousness, they are altering your world. - Ben Okri 1953 Chevy 3100 1960 Volvo PV 544 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe
When you read Charlie's obituary, make sure you watch the video. It tells a lot about Charlie's life. Also, back in March when Charlie made the decision not to take any more treatments, he offered me a lot of parts that he bought from a closed GMC dealership a few years ago. I told him that I am 73 years old and really have a lot more parts than I will ever use. If anyone on the board sells on eBay it would be some pretty good merchandise. I have the list in PDF form and can forward it. I did not post this while Charlie was still with us because he did not want sympathy while he was still alive. I had known Charlie for a long time and as per his wishes did not publish the fact that he knew the end was near.
Does anyone know if June plans on attending the KC show in September? They always went to it, and I'm wondering if it might be healing for her to attend. I have no idea what her plans are though.
I am saddened to hear this news. Only knew Charlie/Cletis from the site. He did a great job of keeping us on our best forum behavior. Condolences to his family.
It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it.
Shortly after I joined this forum, I bought a radio delete plate from him for Mater. I'll always look at that radio delete plate and think of him...... Rest in peace Cletis
1949 Dodge Coronet 1955 2nd Chevy 4400 1.5 ton 1955 2nd Chevy 3100 1/2 ton 1955 2nd Chevy 3100 1/2 ton 1957 Chevy 5400 LCF 2 ton 1966 Dodge D100 Sweptline 1968 Chevy P20 stepvan 1969 GMC LWB pickup 1972 GMC Sprint 1974 CP30 shorty bus
There are three things that I've learned never discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.----Linus Van Pelt Trying to understand the behavior of some people is like trying to smell the color 9
~ Joe Donate Blood, Plasma, Platelets and Sign Your DONORS CARD. The Life You SAVE Might Be Someone You Know and LOVE. Two possibilities exist: Either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying. ~ Arthur C. Clarke
Charley would have been at the Good Guys show this past week end, he made almost all of them had some great times with him there..
Redryder pix My Hotrod A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life." I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option.
I just got back into the forum, after working on a truck bed bed for my son today. I got the half a cab, the rear fenders, the bed and the wheels from Charlie April 2017... that was the second time I went out to his place over the years. After he warmed back up to me during the visit, he was back to chatting away best he could with the breathing tube. We walked his whole place, he told me about everything he had left and I literally bought all I could, paying way more then I would on a normal day to help out. Charlie, great guy, staunch moderator, good friend. He told me that day he wouldn't see Christmas, driving home I decided I would have a custom lisence plate made for the bed when I was done with "Cletis" on it so every time someone asked what it was I could tell them of my friend Charlie. He will be missed.
*UNDER CONSTRUCTION* 1953 Chevrolet 3100 1/2 ton-previously abandoned resto.
I hate when people leave their brains at home. Seriously when did critical thinking and customer service go out the window? How about common sense and striving to go the extra mile? Idiots, surrounded by idiots it tell you.
Charlie asked me, a couple of weeks before he died, if I would take his place as Moderator in General Truck Talk. I hope I am living up to his expectations. RIP dear friend.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
Charlie asked me, a couple of weeks before he died, if I would take his place as Moderator in General Truck Talk. I hope I am living up to his expectations. RIP dear friend.
Charlie had a pretty direct way of dealing with people in the forums.
I don't know if you are trying to follow in his footsteps or your law enforcement experience has kicked in but....I think Charlie would approve.
If you screw up.... I will be sure to let you know .
Many conversations with Charlie and his wife June.....last chat was a couple weeks before his death and he simply told me he was waiting to die........one of a kind for sure but one couldn't ask for a better friend.
Our friend, Charlie "Cletis" Hardin, has passed away. Saturday.
