He was only two when his father died, and his mother(Sarah) was left with three children at home to provide for: Frank, Pansy, Claude. He tells of his mothers struggle to provide for her young children during the depression. And of her kind and gentle way.
He served in World War II as a fighter plane gunner. He relates that he flew many missions but never once encountered a German Plane. One of the Lucky Ones. After the war, he became a Long Haul Truck Driver, retiring at the age of 63.Being called back into service as a Show Truck Driver, which he did for another fifteen years.
1. Elaine
2. Don
3. Kathy
4. Sarah
I had the pleasure on June 12th 2004 to make a trip South with my sister and meet for the first time Claude and his family. And I want to tell you that I am so glad we did. They are such wonderful people. We felt as though we've known them all our lives. And Uncle Claude, what a gem he is. Just a wonderful man, it is unfortunate that we grew up without someone so special in our lives.
He tells us of stories of his brothers Collis, Lloyd and Lewis running an old steam shovel. Of how in those days it took three men to run it. One to stoke the fire, one to operate it and one to pull the shovel with a rope to move it. Of how they'd get up early, walk the railroad tracks and saw off pieces of the cross boards to fire up the engine. Claude started out in construction too, he worked on part of Skyline Drive, before he got in to Driving.
Since all of his older brothers had left North Carolina as soon as they came of age, and Frank had been killed during the war, Claude started working at the age of 16 to help out his mother. And spent the rest of her life taking care of her.
He Is A True Gem..I Am So Glad That I Got To Meet Him and
His Wonderful Family.
