Jack Cleckler celebrated his 40^th year working full-time as an embalmer at Lawrence Brown Service Funeral Home this week.

Lawrence Brown officials presented Cleckler with a cake to celebrate the milestone. Cleckler said it was no big deal.

“I never thought about doing anything else,” Cleckler said. “But I get a sense of satisfaction in doing my job.”

Cleckler started part-time at Lawrence Brown in 1977 while on a tennis scholarship at Wallace Community College-Selma.

“When I attended Wallace, I told them I needed a part-time job,” Cleckler said. “It’s how I ended up at Lawrence Brown.”

Lawrence Brown officials praised Cleckler, 64, for his dedication.

“I’ve been doing this for 20 years and he’s one of the most dedicated employees,” Lawrence Brown owner Scott Girlie said. “Everything must be perfect for him.”

“Cleckler always shows up whether he has to work or not,” Funeral Home Director Kenneth Martin said. “Everyone knows him.”

For a long period, Lawrence Brown Funeral Director Mack Wilkerson said Cleckler had the embalming business to himself.

“His knowledge of embalming impresses me,” Wilkerson said. “At one time, he was the only embalmer in the Tri-county area. Back then, there weren’t many embalmers.”

Cleckler finds time to spend with family. He’s been married to Nancy Cleckler for 39 years. They have three children- Samantha, Rebecca and Kyle. They also have four grandchildren: Noah, Madison, Chloe and Alayna with a fifth on the way.