Cleve started carving in 1986 after receiving a knife and a few gouges as a Christmas present from his wife and son. He authored three books on caricature carving: Cowboy Carving, Hanging In There, and Carving Fishermen and the Tall Tale. He taught classes and seminars regularly and judged shows when time permitted.

In his professional life, Cleve was a Professor of Adult Education at the University of Idaho and lived with his wife, Sandy, in Boise, Idaho. He was a member of the Idaho Woodcarvers Guild, Northwest Caricature Carvers Society, National Woodcarvers Association, and Affiliated Woodcarvers Ltd. Cleve became a member of the Caricature Carvers of America in October 1995.

Cleve passed away on June 15, 2026.