Claude Earl Bozarth, Jr. was the son of Claude Earl Bozarth and Fannie Lee Garner of Mineola, Texas. His paternal grandparents were William Franklin Bozarth and Effie Mae Hussey, originally from Grayson County, Kentucky. His maternal grandparents were James Edmond Garner and Willie Ann Reel of Harrison County, Texas. He was born July 30, 1926 in Tatum, Rusk County, Texas. He graduated from Mineola High School and attended Abilene Christian College before enlisting in the Navy in 1943. After his service with a UD Team at Okinawa and as Quartermaster 3C of the Osmand Ingram, he attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. His company transferred him to Houston, Texas where he worked while attending classes at the University of Houston. He earned his Chartered Property and Causualty Underwriter Designation in 1952, later teaching 2 of the 5 C.P.C.U. Insurance Courses at Lamar State College and the Univeristy of Houston. He worked in the insurance industry in Dallas and Houston until he retired as vice president of a major insurance company in 1982. He was President of his Rotary Club, President of the Summit Club, President of F.U.N. Football, Inc. (league for boys 8-12) and was awarded the Silver Beaver by the Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America for services ranging from Cubmaster to District Commissioner of the Golden Arrow District. He was an avid reader and enjoyed fishing, hunting and model railroading. The activity that gave him the most pleasure was working as Santa Claus for the Original Christmas Store after his retirement.
Claude Earl Bozarth, Jr. and Joyce VirJean Potter were married on April 23, 1948 in Dallas, Texas and were the parents of David Bruce, James Douglas, Sharon Renee, Raymond Michael and Virgil Edward. He died after a long illness on September 23, 1994 in Houston, Harris County, Texas. He was survived by his wife VirJean, his daughter Sharon, his sons: Bruce, James, Ray and Ed; his sister Jo Ann Wilhite, his brother Paul Gene Bozarth, his granddaughter Cynthia Michelle Bozarth and numerous nieces and nephews. He was laid to rest at South Park Cemetery in Pearland, Brazoria County, Texas.
Lewis Tucker - Funeral Oration
"Twas the Night Before Christmas" - through this well known Christmas verse is how I remember Claude. Ever since I have known him (over 20 years) he had been Mr. Santa Claus and has made many a child happy with his smile, handshake, candy canes and sitting on his lap for photos by mom and dad. His involvement in the community did not stop with just these annual appearances, he had always been involved with children and young people. He was an important part of Scouting in Southwest Houston...helping as a Commisssioner, Camporee chief, Order of the Arrow worker, Roundtable helper, Trainer, School Nite for Scouting assistant (where more than 500 boys were recruited into Scouting annually). For his effforts in this program, the Sam Houston Area Council presented him with the coveted Silver Beaver Award, with the outstanding Commissioner Award and with the District Award of Merit.
One of the lasting tributes to his leadership is the Elk's Club Annual Recognition to all the Eagle Scouts of the Golden Arrow District, their leaders and their parents. This program was begun in 1982 and has honored more than 300 individuals. He was involved with his Civic Club, Little League, Fun Football, Boy's Club, Westbury High School events...and the List goes on and on. He was active in his church and in many civic groups, among them the Almeda/South Post Oak Rotary Club, where he served as president in 1984-85. For his many contributions to Rotary, he was honored with the Paul Harris Fellowship as well as being selected as Rotarian of the Year.
We are fortunate to have shared the life of a good citizen, a wonderful friend and a true American. Claude, I for one am proud to have known and worked with you over the years. Thanks for the Memories.
Claude Earl Bozarth, Jr. and Joyce VirJean Potter were married on April 23, 1948 in Dallas, Texas and were the parents of David Bruce, James Douglas, Sharon Renee, Raymond Michael and Virgil Edward. He died after a long illness on September 23, 1994 in Houston, Harris County, Texas. He was survived by his wife VirJean, his daughter Sharon, his sons: Bruce, James, Ray and Ed; his sister Jo Ann Wilhite, his brother Paul Gene Bozarth, his granddaughter Cynthia Michelle Bozarth and numerous nieces and nephews. He was laid to rest at South Park Cemetery in Pearland, Brazoria County, Texas.
Lewis Tucker - Funeral Oration
"Twas the Night Before Christmas" - through this well known Christmas verse is how I remember Claude. Ever since I have known him (over 20 years) he had been Mr. Santa Claus and has made many a child happy with his smile, handshake, candy canes and sitting on his lap for photos by mom and dad. His involvement in the community did not stop with just these annual appearances, he had always been involved with children and young people. He was an important part of Scouting in Southwest Houston...helping as a Commisssioner, Camporee chief, Order of the Arrow worker, Roundtable helper, Trainer, School Nite for Scouting assistant (where more than 500 boys were recruited into Scouting annually). For his effforts in this program, the Sam Houston Area Council presented him with the coveted Silver Beaver Award, with the outstanding Commissioner Award and with the District Award of Merit.
One of the lasting tributes to his leadership is the Elk's Club Annual Recognition to all the Eagle Scouts of the Golden Arrow District, their leaders and their parents. This program was begun in 1982 and has honored more than 300 individuals. He was involved with his Civic Club, Little League, Fun Football, Boy's Club, Westbury High School events...and the List goes on and on. He was active in his church and in many civic groups, among them the Almeda/South Post Oak Rotary Club, where he served as president in 1984-85. For his many contributions to Rotary, he was honored with the Paul Harris Fellowship as well as being selected as Rotarian of the Year.
We are fortunate to have shared the life of a good citizen, a wonderful friend and a true American. Claude, I for one am proud to have known and worked with you over the years. Thanks for the Memories.
Claude Earl Bozarth, Jr. was the son of Claude Earl Bozarth and Fannie Lee Garner of Mineola, Texas. His paternal grandparents were William Franklin Bozarth and Effie Mae Hussey, originally from Grayson County, Kentucky. His maternal grandparents were James Edmond Garner and Willie Ann Reel of Harrison County, Texas. He was born July 30, 1926 in Tatum, Rusk County, Texas. He graduated from Mineola High School and attended Abilene Christian College before enlisting in the Navy in 1943. After his service with a UD Team at Okinawa and as Quartermaster 3C of the Osmand Ingram, he attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. His company transferred him to Houston, Texas where he worked while attending classes at the University of Houston. He earned his Chartered Property and Causualty Underwriter Designation in 1952, later teaching 2 of the 5 C.P.C.U. Insurance Courses at Lamar State College and the Univeristy of Houston. He worked in the insurance industry in Dallas and Houston until he retired as vice president of a major insurance company in 1982. He was President of his Rotary Club, President of the Summit Club, President of F.U.N. Football, Inc. (league for boys 8-12) and was awarded the Silver Beaver by the Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America for services ranging from Cubmaster to District Commissioner of the Golden Arrow District. He was an avid reader and enjoyed fishing, hunting and model railroading. The activity that gave him the most pleasure was working as Santa Claus for the Original Christmas Store after his retirement.
Claude Earl Bozarth, Jr. and Joyce VirJean Potter were married on April 23, 1948 in Dallas, Texas and were the parents of David Bruce, James Douglas, Sharon Renee, Raymond Michael and Virgil Edward. He died after a long illness on September 23, 1994 in Houston, Harris County, Texas. He was survived by his wife VirJean, his daughter Sharon, his sons: Bruce, James, Ray and Ed; his sister Jo Ann Wilhite, his brother Paul Gene Bozarth, his granddaughter Cynthia Michelle Bozarth and numerous nieces and nephews. He was laid to rest at South Park Cemetery in Pearland, Brazoria County, Texas.
Lewis Tucker - Funeral Oration
"Twas the Night Before Christmas" - through this well known Christmas verse is how I remember Claude. Ever since I have known him (over 20 years) he had been Mr. Santa Claus and has made many a child happy with his smile, handshake, candy canes and sitting on his lap for photos by mom and dad. His involvement in the community did not stop with just these annual appearances, he had always been involved with children and young people. He was an important part of Scouting in Southwest Houston...helping as a Commisssioner, Camporee chief, Order of the Arrow worker, Roundtable helper, Trainer, School Nite for Scouting assistant (where more than 500 boys were recruited into Scouting annually). For his effforts in this program, the Sam Houston Area Council presented him with the coveted Silver Beaver Award, with the outstanding Commissioner Award and with the District Award of Merit.
One of the lasting tributes to his leadership is the Elk's Club Annual Recognition to all the Eagle Scouts of the Golden Arrow District, their leaders and their parents. This program was begun in 1982 and has honored more than 300 individuals. He was involved with his Civic Club, Little League, Fun Football, Boy's Club, Westbury High School events...and the List goes on and on. He was active in his church and in many civic groups, among them the Almeda/South Post Oak Rotary Club, where he served as president in 1984-85. For his many contributions to Rotary, he was honored with the Paul Harris Fellowship as well as being selected as Rotarian of the Year.
We are fortunate to have shared the life of a good citizen, a wonderful friend and a true American. Claude, I for one am proud to have known and worked with you over the years. Thanks for the Memories.
Claude Earl Bozarth, Jr. and Joyce VirJean Potter were married on April 23, 1948 in Dallas, Texas and were the parents of David Bruce, James Douglas, Sharon Renee, Raymond Michael and Virgil Edward. He died after a long illness on September 23, 1994 in Houston, Harris County, Texas. He was survived by his wife VirJean, his daughter Sharon, his sons: Bruce, James, Ray and Ed; his sister Jo Ann Wilhite, his brother Paul Gene Bozarth, his granddaughter Cynthia Michelle Bozarth and numerous nieces and nephews. He was laid to rest at South Park Cemetery in Pearland, Brazoria County, Texas.
Lewis Tucker - Funeral Oration
"Twas the Night Before Christmas" - through this well known Christmas verse is how I remember Claude. Ever since I have known him (over 20 years) he had been Mr. Santa Claus and has made many a child happy with his smile, handshake, candy canes and sitting on his lap for photos by mom and dad. His involvement in the community did not stop with just these annual appearances, he had always been involved with children and young people. He was an important part of Scouting in Southwest Houston...helping as a Commisssioner, Camporee chief, Order of the Arrow worker, Roundtable helper, Trainer, School Nite for Scouting assistant (where more than 500 boys were recruited into Scouting annually). For his effforts in this program, the Sam Houston Area Council presented him with the coveted Silver Beaver Award, with the outstanding Commissioner Award and with the District Award of Merit.
One of the lasting tributes to his leadership is the Elk's Club Annual Recognition to all the Eagle Scouts of the Golden Arrow District, their leaders and their parents. This program was begun in 1982 and has honored more than 300 individuals. He was involved with his Civic Club, Little League, Fun Football, Boy's Club, Westbury High School events...and the List goes on and on. He was active in his church and in many civic groups, among them the Almeda/South Post Oak Rotary Club, where he served as president in 1984-85. For his many contributions to Rotary, he was honored with the Paul Harris Fellowship as well as being selected as Rotarian of the Year.
We are fortunate to have shared the life of a good citizen, a wonderful friend and a true American. Claude, I for one am proud to have known and worked with you over the years. Thanks for the Memories.
