I'm so sorry for your loss Emily. I have some very fond memories of your dad. He was always entertaining with his stories when you both came to our home for holidays. 

Uncle Claude was almost 4 years older than I was. We had so much fun together when we had a chance to visit every month. One of my favorite memories when we were kids is going on weekends to see Godzilla movies at a theater that wasn’t very far from his house in OK City that was known for showing them. They were dubbed into English, and I was fascinated by that. He had to explain to me why the Japanese actors’ mouths didn’t match what they were saying. :) We had fun playing with his pets (his rat was my favorite. She was such a sweetie.)  As adults, the stories from his PI work and security were fascinating. I admired his ability to think quickly and stay calm. Having an uncle nearly the same age as I was a blessing I will always be grateful for. Miss you, Uncle Claude. See you soon. <3

Emily, Claude was our family's pride and joy!  An unexpected gift from the Lord to our step-father who raised me and my brother, Harold.  Claude was born on my graduation day from High School: 6 months later I married Keith and we moved to Chicago for Keith to go to school, then upon completion moved to Texas.  So very few "little rascal stories" did I hear.  He was always so happy to have us bring our 2 girls for a visit.  He didn't have a lot in common being 6 yrs. older, but he was proud to be an uncle and more than willing to share the candy in his daddy's candy dish on the coffee table.  Ha! That impressed the girls, as they had a coffee table but not a candy dish always full.  As adults we began to talk more on the phone and he always sent cards on special occasions.  After Anne passed our conversations became longer; then our mom died which brought us even closer.  No matter which of us would call he'd always begin the conversation "what cha' doin'. "  He always had things to tell me about his volunteer work at different organizations, the church, and watching out after neighbors who needed a friend.  Claude living in California and me in TX we never ran out of things to talk about.   Moving back to OK City was a shock: lol Nothing was the same as 20 years ago!  And definitely wasn't like California.  His pride and joy was Emily.  And what a blessing.  When he fell and things started going downhill health wise she was right there,  travelling from California to Oklahoma every few weeks.   A nursing student, she was able to stay on top of what was happening and what would be needed for the future.  But sometimes things  don't always go as planned.  Time for Claude to leave his earthly home and join God's Kingdom.  Emily was right there to assist him.   I'll miss his 'what cha' doin?' but I know he's surrounded by many loved ones telling them 'you won't believe what it's like down there since you left!'  God is good!               

Sending you my love and prayers, Emily. 

Claude was my uncle but only 6 years older than I. We called him Claudie back in the day. 😊 He had such a sweet heart and whenever we would visit Grandmother and Grandaddy’s house as kids, he often would invite Sherri and I to go out with he and his friends. We would usually decline but the one time I remember us tagging along was to see the movie Godzilla! He loved his family and was a caring son, husband and father. He will be missed, but I am thankful to know he is with our Lord and Saviour and we will see each other again one day.