An 83-year-old man was killed yesterday morning when he was struck by a pick-up truck while trying to unload an appliance on Duren Road.

Reuben Cleckler, who owns Cleckler’s Appliances in Clanton, was guiding one of his employees, who was backing up a pickup truck. Clanton Police Investigator Keith Maddox said the driver apparently lost sight of Cleckler. Cleckler died on the scene.

“It appears like it was just a freak accident,” Maddox said. “This is a big loss to the community.”

Mayor Billy Joe Driver couldn’t believe it when he heard about the accident yesterday.

“I’ve lost a personal friend,” Driver said. “He was good to me and the community. He was a hard worker, and he will be missed.”

Cleckler has been operating his appliance business in Clanton for many decades. He sold old appliances, new appliances and unusual parts for appliances.

“His business has been a fixture in Clanton for a long time,” Driver said.

Driver has known Cleckler almost all of his life and is close to his family.

“He would always pick on me every time I saw him,” Driver said, “but he’d always brag on you when you did good.

“You just don’t expect something like this to happen.”