Claude Ralph Potter, the son of Earl Potter and Opal Davidson Potter, was born on June 9, 1930 in McClurg, in Taney County, and passed away on Aug. 11, 2005, in Springfield, at the age of 75.
Claude was a resident of Bradleyville for 38 years. He was a retired machinist and had worked for the U.S. Forest Service in Ava for 28 years. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and served his country in the U. S. Army. On Dec. 4, 1961, Claude and Ruthie Harnden were united in marriage in Miami, Okla. Claude was a Christian. He enjoyed singing and playing his guitar. He loved horseback riding and visiting with people and talking about history. Claude was always known to reach out to older people.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Bill Potter.
Survivors include his wife, Ruthie, of the home in Bradleyville; two sisters, Earlean Evans and Sue Valentine, both of Ava; five nieces and one nephew, Pamela Caswell, Shurdena, LaRaine and Lacy Evans, Jayma Potter and Monty Valentine; and close friends, Denise and Joey Aldridge, Forsyth; and a host of relatives and friends.
Services were held Monday, August 15, at 10 a.m. at the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, with the Rev. Bill Austin officiating. Interment was in the Bethel Cemetery under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
