Cletus is one of Summer's classmates. He has long, straight, black hair that looks greasy (Summer doesn't think he bathes regularly), he has acne on his face, and he wears a funny looking hat that has ear flaps. Cletus is different from other people his age; Summer thinks he is a lunatic. He is a collector of unlikely items such as potato chip bags, buttons, spoons, plants, wrapping paper, and now, pictures that he carries with him in an old suitcase. Cletus uses his imagination to create stories for every picture.
Cletus first meets Ob and becomes acquainted with Summer when Ob notices him snooping around their old Chevy. As Summer and Ob grieve, Cletus becomes a "guide" for them in their search for May. Cletus and Ob become fast friends in spite of Summer's objections. Cletus seems to understand how devastating it has been for Ob to lose May. He begins visiting Ob and Summer often. Cletus' presence seems to have a positive impact on Ob, and Summer observes that Cletus has "some gifts." Cletus seems to live full of hope and confidence. He listens to Ob talk and is not judgmental. For example, when Ob stays in his pajamas all day, Cletus never comments; he simply ignores the fact that Ob has not gotten dressed all day. Cletus is insightful and perceptive. He tells Summer to "drop some of them bricks you keep hauling with you. Life just ain't that heavy." Cletus understands that Summer has taken on the responsibility of trying to fill May's shoes — a task that is impossible for her to accomplish. Cletus believes Summer is fighting herself and is not allowing herself to think freely or to be the writer he believes she is.
Cletus becomes Ob's "afterlife antenna." Because he had a near-death experience as a small child, Ob believes that Cletus' energy will attract May's spirit to visit again. Cletus shows Ob an advertisement for a medium — a spiritualist who speaks to the dead — named Reverend Young. Ob, Summer, and Cletus decide to take a trip to find her and possibly speak to May through her. Cletus is excited about the prospect of seeing the state capitol. He hasn't traveled much and, because he wants to be a "Renaissance Man," he sees the trip as an opportunity to move towards his goal.
After finding out that Reverend Young is no longer alive and after visiting the capitol, with which he is enthralled, Cletus goes home with Ob and Summer. He spends the night with them at their trailer, and then accompanies Ob and Summer to May's garden to help erect Ob's whirligigs. Cletus blesses the whirligigs by reading from Reverend Young's brochure. Unknowingly, Cletus has been a consoling presence for Ob and Summer during their grieving process.
