Claude Franklin McCurdy Jr.

Senior Master Sergeant Claude Franklin McCurdy Jr. passed away on June 9, 2015 in San Antonio, Texas. Claude was born in Wilmot, Ark. to Claude Franklin and Mary Hontas McCurdy on Dec. 29, 1930. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Claudia Kathleen and his eldest son Glen Franklin. He is survived by his loving family- wife of 66 years, Dolores Glendening McCurdy; son Robert Eugene of Florida; grandsons Collin Bryce McCurdy of Florida, Robert Eugene McCurdy II of Virginia, Glen McCurdy of California, granddaughter Anna McDonald of California; seven great-grandchildren; sister Patricia Ann Dowell and nephew James Dowell Jr. of Arkansas; loving sister-in-law Joan E. Brown of Arkansas and extended family in Arkansas and Louisiana. Claude attended McGhee High School and moved to Little Rock, Ark. where he met and married Dolores Glending. He entered the National Guard in October 1950 and was called to active duty with the Air Force at Langley Field, Va. He served at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana; Tyndall AFB, Florida; Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; Randolph, James Connally and Bergstrom Air Force Bases, Texas. His overseas tours included England; France; Tripoli, Lebanon; Italy; Korea; Thailand and 5th Air Force Headquarters, Yokota Air Base Japan. He retired from the Air Force after more than 28 years active service and for a brief period was employed with the Federal Aviation Administration at San Antonio International Airport. Claude was then employed with the Civil Service at Kelly Air Force Base in the position of Air Field Management. He retired in 2007 after 26 years in Air Field Management at Kelly AFB, accumulating over 56 years of honorable federal service to the United States of America. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Memorial Service to be held at 11 a.m. on August 8 at Ruebel Funeral Home, Little Rock, Ark.