Timothy Leonard Claude

Timothy Leonard Claude was born to John Leonard and Darlene Lethcoe Claude in Sioux City , Iowa on March 26, 1947. He passed away peacefully at his home in Vernon, Arizona on February 23, 2022. Tim was the oldest of four boys and grew up in Algona, Iowa. Tim played on the high school football team, participated in the high school mixed chorus and was in the musical “Finian’s Rainbow”. Tim graduated from Algona Community High School in 1965. After graduation he went to work in heavy construction which was the career that he loved and continued until the day he retired. In 1966 Tim joined the US Navy where he served four years as a Seabee during the Vietnam War where he helped to build roads, airfields hospitals and many other facilities that were critically needed to support our combatant forces. Tim had a close call while working on a Pier in a harbor in Vietnam when the pier collapsed and put him and his crane in the dark water. In 1971 It was love at first sight when Tim met the love of his life, Sheri Duke , while working in Arizona. Tim and Sheri were marred on November 27, 1971 in Arizona then moved to California and grew their family with the birth of their two boys Travis and Toby. In the late 80’s Tim and Sheri moved to the White Mountains in Arizona where they have resided ever since. For over 55 years Tim worked hard in the construction field , for many years he was apart of the operators Union Local 12 in California where he was a foreman on various construction projects on major freeways, shopping centers and subdivisions. Tim was apart of the 100 year flood control dam project in Fredonia Arizona. While working on this project ,in the same area, the Disney film “One Little Indian” was being filmed and Tim and Sheri met James Garner, Andrew Prine, and Pat Hingle at a local bar and proceed to get James Garner drunk. The next day they were invited on set and Mr. Garner was still feeling the pain of the night before. Fun Times To his children Tim was the hardest working man they have ever known who worked his whole life so that he could enjoy his golden years, but that just didn’t go as planned. Multiple back surgeries and complications over the years turned into a rough go these past few years. Tim enjoyed golfing (especially on fathers day with his sons) fishing, boating and jet skiing while spending time at the lake with family and friends. Tim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. In his time with us Tim touched many lives in many ways and to quote a few people: “One of My Favorite People” “Kindest Man I’ve ever met” “Best Friend” “Cohort in Crime" “Had the Biggest Heart” Tim was very much loved and will be truly missed. His kind heart, sense of humor and quiet but mischievous ways, will always be cherished and not forgotten. Tim is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Sheri Claude, sons Travis and Toby (Lisa), four grandchildren Kyleie, Tanner , Kolten and Kinley and brothers Tom (Karilyn), Steve (Marne) and Robert (Diana). A Memorial Service will held on March 7th at Owens Livingston Mortuary in Show Low, Arizona with a viewing at 2 PM and services at 3 PM. Following the services a celebration of life will be held at 5507 Vallery Lane, Lakeside Az where family and friends will gather to do a farewell toast in his honor. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Veterans charity: The Walking Down Ranch Inc. 1638 West White Mountain Blvd. Lakeside, Arizona 85929