Claude Donald McClure, Sr., 78, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away on March 6, 2019, after a long battle with cancer.
Claude was born in Chattanooga, on Nov. 25, 1940, to the late James Donald McClure and Agnes Hartsfield McClure. Claude was baptized at Second Missionary Baptist Church at an early age.
Claude, a proud veteran, valiantly served in the US Army Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets, in Vietnam reaching the rank of sergeant. During Vietnam, he spent two years as a prisoner of war. Upon his release from this ordeal, he returned home a hero and continued to serve his country in the Army for several more years.
Claude went on to graduate from Chattanooga State where he received a degree in Civil Engineering. He also furthered his education at UTC and went on to work for Norfolk Southern for over two decades as a machinist up until retirement.
Claude was known by family and friends as a kindhearted and peaceful man with a quiet strength that enriched the lives of anyone he came in contact with.
Claude is survived by his sons Claude Donald McClure, Jr. of Virginia (wife Salimah McClure) and Micah Jamaal McClure of Georgia (wife Nia Jackson-McClure); sisters, Rosetta M. Love and Willie P. McClure of Chattanooga; four grandchildren; one great granddaughter; a devoted life partner of over a decade, Brenda Robinson; one niece; one nephew; two great-nephews; five great-great-nieces and nephews; and a host of family members and friends.
The body will lie in state on Tuesday, March 12, starting at noon at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, and the family will receive friends 7-8 p.m. The procession will depart the funeral home on Wednesday, March 13, at noon concluding in a Graveside Service at Chattanooga National Cemetery at 12:30 p.m.
Arrangements are being made by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga, Tn., 423 622-9995.