Reginald Owen VanCleave, age 76 of Somerset, Kentucky, passed from this life on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital.
He was born on August 11, 1949 in Middletown, Ohio, the son of Willard Hershel and Sindyella Hodge VanCleave.
He worked in construction building homes and was a member of Barnesburg Baptist Church. He was a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association and the Vice President of his local chapter. He loved photography and was the photographer for the church as well as helping with the youth programs. He was the radio controlman for the US Navy in the Philippines during the Vietnam War and was the leader for the Rabbit Club where he showed rabbits (rare breeds) for the American Rabbit Association. Reginald will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Karen Justice VanCleave; brothers, Randy VanCleave and Bill VanCleave; sisters, Libby VanCleave and Debbie VanCleave. He is survived by his daughters, Lysandra Neal (Tony) of Somerset, KY and Lyndsey VanCleave of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Noah Lowe and Silas Lowe; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026 at Barnesburg Baptist Church with a Celebration of Life Service to be held at 11:00 a.m. with Bro. Jordan Burkes officiating.
Inurnment will be in Mill Springs National Cemetery with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Reginald VanCleave Memorial Fund C/O Southern Oaks Funeral Home.
Southern Oaks Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for Reginald Owen VanCleave.