Hometown Hero: Demetrius “Meechie” VanCleave

Lifelong resident of Franklin, Demetrius VanCleave, or “Meechie” to his friends, has made an impact in Franklin in ways that many do not know because of his humble nature. Born and raised in Franklin, VanCleave grew up in a family with four siblings in a neighborhood surrounded by love.

“There has always been such good people in this town,” VanCleave says. “Growing up, there wasn’t much opportunity to get in trouble, that I found at least.”

Part of that mindset was instilled upon him by his grandparents. VanCleave says his grandparents wanted him to have a better life. They had lived through times where things were changing for people of color, and they had high hopes for his future.

VanCleave says his elders weren’t quick to jump off the handle. They explained things to him and pointed out when, for example, a police car down the street at a house meant someone wasn’t living right and how he needed to stay straight.

VanCleave says he is most proud of his grandmother, Sarah VanCleave. She lived around the corner when he was growing up. Friends would tell him they loved visiting her because she cooked the things they wanted. Today, VanCleave tries to emulate what his grandmother taught him. He hopes to teach his own grandchildren that there are ups and downs in life and for them to stay focused.

Sports have always been a part of VanCleave’s life. At an early age, he found himself at the Franklin Boys Club often. He says many coaches through the years shaped who he became and pushed him to be better. Soon after graduating high school in 1975, he started coaching. Around 1984-85, he was instrumental in forming a football program with the Franklin Boys Club.

VanCleave’s coaching and refereeing career in Franklin sports spanned 49 years of service.

A FCHS football standout, VanCleave realized after high school he “still had a little football in him” and began playing weekend nights on an amateur football league in Indianapolis. While playing in the league, he was approached with the opportunity of playing college football for two years tuition-free at Merced College in California. He agreed. It was the first time he had ever left home but found the experience rewarding, and he roomed with fellow Hoosiers, making the transition easier.

In 2018, VanCleave was inducted into the Blue Devils Hall of Fame at Merced College for his role in the 1978 California Community and Junior College Association Football State Championships.

Returning home, he realized he was more of a “trades kind of guy” and landed what he called “the best job I ever had” with PSI, which is now Duke Energy. VanCleave’s career at Duke Energy spanned 38 years, working most of that time as a meter reader and finishing up the last 13 years as a consumer order worker.

It was in December 2015, when he went to disconnect service, that he felt something was not right. VanCleave often chatted with his customers on his route and especially enjoyed the elderly clients. Knowing the man lived alone and would always answer the door, he suspected something was wrong and called in a welfare check. As it turned out, the man had fallen the previous day and was unable to get up. VanCleave was later awarded special recognition from the City of Franklin Police Department for his lifesaving actions.

VanCleave humbly noted, “It’s part of the job. You need to show compassion for people; you cannot just be numb and do your job without caring.”

Today, VanCleave is enjoying retirement by spending quality time with his wife, Linda. He likes spending time with his son, Aaron, stepson Aaron Michael Orender and stepdaughter Amy Michelle Gibson, as well as six grandchildren. He enjoys camping, fishing and working on old cars. In a time of life when things should feel easier, VanCleave has had some hard health issues to deal with instead. Cancer has been a part of his history now for the third time. He is currently exploring alternative treatments for inoperable cancer. He plans to tough it out the best he can and hopes to be there for his family as long as he can.

“It’s in God’s hands. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be here today,” he says. “If I go tomorrow, I’ve had a good life, good friends.”

His grandma Sarah’s wisdom transferred onto him in many ways as he shared words for the wise:

“Don’t lose that job.”
“Keep being yourself.”
“Be able to recognize an opportunity.”