Michael Kleban

Michael Thomas Kleban, 79, of Harrisburg, passed away Sunday, January 30, 2022 at Atrium Health Cabarrus in Concord.

Mr. Kleban was born March 29, 1942 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania to the late Michael Kleban and Sophia (Susan) Chenera Kleban.  His family relocated to Charlotte when he was 12, and he grew up in the Hunter Acres neighborhood and attended North Mecklenburg High School.

After graduation, Mike enlisted in the United States Air Force and specialized as a Radio Operator.  Part of his service included being stationed in Pakistan.   After his time overseas, he met his future wife (Marianne Miller) at Columbus (Ga,) AFB.  He was honorably discharged in 1967.

Mike & Marianne wed in Charlotte in August of 1966 and were married for 55 years.  That same year, he also purchased his 1966 Mustang Coupe, which is still around today.

Mike worked as an Inside Sales Rep selling metal goods for the merged companies of Brass & Copper/Vincent Metals/Integris/Reynolds/ & Ryerson.  In addition to selling to traditional customers, Mike sold surplus rolls of sheet metals to various stock car racing teams in the Charlotte area.  This allowed him to make contacts and friends within the sport that he enjoyed immensely.  Mike retired from Ryerson in 2004.

Service was a second career for Mike.  He volunteered at all levels at Derita Athletic Association, including serving as Association President for a year.  He also coached, lined fields, and worked in the concession stands.  In support of Derita Athletics, Mike supervised a concession stand at the Charlotte Coliseum working essentially every game during the initial years of the Charlotte Hornets.

Mike was also involved in the Paw Creek American Legion (Post 353) in Charlotte.  He served as Commander in 1983-1984.  He also supervised their weekly Bingo fundraiser and supported various fundraising dinners and their annual Christmas mission, taking dinner and groceries to retired veterans.  He was also a supporter of the Legion Baseball team.

Stock Car Racing was a huge passion for Mike.  He attended essentially every Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway from it’s opening, except when he was stationed overseas.  He was also at the initial race at NC Motor Speedway in Rockingham.

After retiring, Mike landed his dream part-time job.  He supported golf cart operations at all the Speedway Motorsports tracks on the NASCAR circuit.  This combined his passion for racing with the ability to see the country.   In addition to being at the tracks for the full week of race activities, Mike also volunteered to ride with the semi-truck drivers, making cross country trips to California and Texas.

During Charlotte Motor Speedway’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, Mike was selected as one of the long-time fans honored with a Wall of Honor plaque beneath the main grandstand.  He was featured in the Souvenir Program and interviewed by the local news.

Part of the reason for the recognition was that Mike had started a charity at the track.  He organized a group of volunteers to host many wounded veterans in the track’s infield each race week.  This recurring group became a family who enjoyed watching the races, eating, and enjoying each other’s company, as honored guests of the volunteers.

Mike was a member of Oak Grove Methodist Church in Charlotte.  There, he supported various missions including Room in the Inn, a weekly Hot Dog Lunch fundraiser, and making sandwiches each week for the homeless shelters in Charlotte.  He also served on the leadership team for the Annual BBQ.  Mike organized a Food Pantry mission at Oak Grove in association with Second Harvest Food Bank.

However, one church wasn’t enough for Mike.   Mike was involved with Independence Hill Baptist Church in Huntersville.  He went on two mission trips to Nicaragua and helped raise funds and build a hospital clinic for the citizens there.

Additionally, Mike worked on various service projects with Harrisburg United Methodist Church.  He was heavily involved with the Harrisburg Crisis Assistance Ministry when it was hosted at the church.  He also assisted at numerous BBQs, Fish Frys and Spaghetti Dinners in support of church missions.

In 1990, Mike was driving to work and spotted four kids walking to school on a cold morning without coats.  Concerned, he contacted the school to inquire about the kids and found out they were in need.  He rallied some co-workers at Vincent Metals and between money pooled by them and food donated by the Paw Creek American Legion, they were able to provide Santa/Christmas to that family.

From that effort, Kleb’s Kids was born.  It remained an annual Christmas project for Vincent for the first 8-10 years.   Seeing a need to grow, Mike incorporated the Charity as a 501-C and associated as a mission of Oak Grove UMC.  In addition to his core group from Vincent, he recruited members from the church, the community, and his family.  With this new energy, the charity rolled up its sleeves and begin to fundraise throughout the year in addition to obtaining corporate sponsorships.

In the years that followed, up to 200 kids in need annually received articles of clothing, a gift certificate for groceries and either toys or a bike for Christmas.  Over 32 years, thousands of kids have been given a Christmas that they may not have had otherwise thanks to the efforts of Kleb’s Kids.

Mike developed a relationship with the Harrisburg Cruisers car club.  What began as a Toy Drive for Kleb’s Kids, turned into him being involved regularly with the club.

Mike is survived by his wife, Marianne, of Harrisburg; his son, Scott, wife Elissa and grandsons Max and Zac of Harrisburg; his son, Todd, of Nags Head; and his son, Corey, wife Jennifer, grandson Luke and granddaughter Sadie of Concord.

He is also survived by his sister, Mary Anne Locklear, her husband Leon, of Huntersville; by his nephew Leon Locklear, Jr. of Winston-Salem, his niece, Kim Locklear of Huntersville and his nephew, Justin Locklear of Huntersville.

The funeral service will be on Friday, March 25 at 1:00pm: It will be at Salisbury National Cemetery at 501 Statesville Blvd.in Salisbury.  Pastor Todd Marlin will officiate the service.  A celebration of life will be held at his home in Harrisburg on March 26 starting at Noon and going into the evening.

Memorials may be made to:  Speedway Children's Charities-5555 Concord Parkway South  Concord, NC 28027  or to:  Folds of Honor Department #13  Tulsa, OK  74182Department #13

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com