Cleath, James age 79, of Crosslake passed away Friday, March 17, 2017 at St. Cloud Hospital. Jim's memorial service will be Tuesday, March 21, at 2 pm, at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Crosslake. Visitation will be from 12:30 until 2 pm. Interment will be at Pinewood Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at the Crosslake American Legion. James Mitchell Cleath was born March 18, 1937 in Minneapolis, to Walter and Irene Cleath. He was raised and educated in South Minneapolis. He completed two tours in the US Army, from 1957-1959 and from 1961-1963. He was united in marriage to Sharon Kriesel on February 29, 1964, in Minneapolis. The couple lived in Coon Rapids, and Jim worked for Acme Visible Records, selling office systems. After moving to Omaha for three years the family returned to Minneapolis, where Jim managed the branch at Acme until 1980. He then started his own successful company, selling office supplies and filing/retrieval systems. His customer base covered the United States, and included the Minnesota court system and several hospitals and insurance companies. Jim sold his company when he was 56. Jim and Sharon spent weekends at their Crosslake cabin for many years, and began living there full-time after Jim's retirement. Fourteen years ago, they sold their cabin and bought a home in "the woods." For the past sixteen years, Jim has worked part-time at Barstock Liquor Store, next to Reeds, in Crosslake. He loved the outdoors, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and boating. He also enjoyed going to area casinos, and they spent a month in Vegas every year. Jim will be remembered and missed by his wife, Sharon and his son, Chris Cleath, of Crosslake. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Irene; a son, Brian Cleath; and siblings, Marcella, Katie, Vi, Wally, Pat, Dorence, Luke, Gene, and Louie. Services entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel of Crosslake.