Claude Homer Morris Jr.

Mar 30, 1926 -

Aug 6, 2020

Claude passed away quietly on Aug. 6, 2020, at his son's home on Camano Island, Wash. He was 94 years young.

Claude is survived by his brother, Jack with wife, Barbara and their children, Jan, Kathy and Jeff and their families; son, Kelly with wife, Karen; son, Kerry with wife, Monique; daughter, Kathy with husband, Jack; grandchildren, Elliott with wife, Madison, Faythe, Caroline, Colton, Natalie and Alexandra with husband, Jordan.

Claude was the second of three sons born to Ada and Claude Morris Sr. on March 30, 1926. He followed his much admired and revered older brother Roy into the military, enlisting to serve in World War II, one week after his 17th birthday. Claude served in the navy from 1943-1945. He was in the 1st Marine Airwing, Marine Airgroup 24 stationed in Bougainville, Solomon Islands as an aerial gunner on a PB4Y-1 Liberator also known as the B-24.

Following his WWII service, Claude reenlisted in 1947 during the Korean War, serving in the Air Force from 1947-1953. He served in the 509th Bomb Group, 830th Bomb Squadron out of Roswell, N.M., as a flight engineer on both B-29s and B-50s.

After his military service, Claude worked for Ralph M. Parsons on the Titan 2 missiles, Douglas Aircraft Co. at Edwards Air Force Base on Experimental aircraft such as the A-4 Skyhawk. He also worked for Boeing Aircraft Co. testing the XB47D Stratojet, the B-52 and the 367-80 aircraft.

During Claude's time at Boeing in Seattle, he met his soon-to-be wife, Carol Macaulay. They married in March 1955. They were married for 44 years until Carol passed away in 1999. Together they had three children: sons, Kelly and Kerry and daughter, Kathy.

Always with a penchant for adventure, Claude pursued various endeavors throughout his lifetime. From drilling water wells in Saudi Arabia to gunsmithing. The latter until into his 90s from his home shop in Girdwood.

Claude worked for ARCO at the Cherry Point Refinery in Washington state until he transferred to Alaska in 1976. He was part of the start-up group that opened operations on the new oilfield at Kuparuk. He retired from ARCO in 1991 to follow in his father's footsteps of mining in Alaska. In 1914, Claude's father and mother made the sea journey from Seattle to the Settlement of Knik where Claude Sr. worked at the Independence Gold Mine at Hatcher Pass while mother Ada used here nursing skills to assist medically at Knik. Their stories and tales of working in the Alaska gold fields inspired Claude to do the same. Claude, with the help of his sons, daughter and son-in-law, mined in the Valdez Creek Mining District, working both placer and hardrock deposits.

One of Claude's special memories was being able to share his WWII and Korean War experiences with his daughter Kathy with a trip to Washington, D.C., with the Last Frontier Honor Flight, Mission #8 in April 2017. With daughter Kathy as his Guardian, they visited the various war memorials and were a part of an incredibly special journey coordinated by Ron and Lynda Travis. This was a journey of a lifetime for both Claude and Kathy bringing them even closer together for sharing this special time. Especially memorable was the time spent at the WWII Memorial where Claude's brother Roy is recognized in one of the stars on the wall that represent so many who gave their ultimate sacrifice. Roy was a pilot during WWII and was killed in action at Normandy, France.

Claude lost his wife Carol in 1999, after her courageous battle with cancer. During this same time, family friend Fredrick "Lucky" Stitzer also lost his wife to cancer. Both Claude and Lucky were combat veterans, loved working on guns and telling tall tales. With both their wives gone and similar areas of interest they decided to share expenses and keep each other company. For the next 20 years they shared adventures, camaraderie, friendship and tall tales. As Lucky would often say, he loved tagging along with Claude because he was always the "chick magnet," even into his 80s and 90s. As Claude encountered more health issues, Lucky helped immensely with Claude's care until recently when Lucky needed to move back to Wisconsin to be close to his family.

Claude courageously battled ongoing health issues over the last 20 years with the same optimism and positive outlook that he exemplified in all areas of his life. Multiple heart surgeries, chronic and painful leg injuries, Lymphoma and Mesothelioma cancers he endured always with a positive outlook and "pixie grin" as the nurses called it, which made his caregivers take joy in seeing and working with him. He never gave up, he just did what needed to be done and move on.

Recently Claude traveled south to spend time with his son Kerry and family on Camano Island. Claude's hope was to return to Alaska but increased health concerns made it impossible. Son Kerry, his wife Monique and daughter Natalie helped care for Claude during his final days. He passed away quietly in their home with family close by.

Claude's memory will always bring a smile to those who knew him and his playful grin and positive outlook will be greatly missed.

Following cremation, Claude will be escorted first class back home to Alaska, where he will join his wife in Girdwood.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to The Last Frontier Honor Flight, www.lastfrontierhonorflight.com;The Last Frontier Honor Flight, P.O. Box 875021, Wasilla, AK 99654.