Claude Henry Salmon, Sr.'s Obituary
Claude Henry Salmon, Sr., was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on January 29, 1931, to the late Maybelle Fain Salmon and Rev. Eugene Salmon. He was called to his eternal rest on April 18, 2025. He received his early education in the local elementary and junior high schools. He attended Howard High School and was a member of the Alumni Class of 1951. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. During his military years, he was a First Class Sergeant. He also received the Artillery Marksman Award and worked as needed in the Culinary Unit. He received an Honorable Discharge in December of 1953. Claude was very industrious as a young man, beginning to work at the age of 15 at Erlanger Hospital in housekeeping. He worked at the Mueller Company and retired after 36 years. After his retirement at Mueller, he worked as the manager of a Fabric Care Center. He also loved working in the yard. He always kept the yard at his home neatly and well-trimmed. He loved people and would help anyone whenever he was available to do so. He was a faithful and dedicated member of Second Missionary Baptist Church for over 70 years. He joined under the pastorate of Rev. M. H. Ribbins. His membership was a valued aspect of his life and his love of his church family. His church activities were many during his life. He loved to sing and was a member of the Gospel Chorus, Men’s Choir, and the Adult Choir. He was a member of Roland Carter’s Men’s Fellowship Choir. Claude was on the Men’s Usher Board and was Chairman of the 21st Century Ushers. He was an organizer and the first chairman of Club No. 11. He worked in Security, was Vice Chairman of the Mission and Benevolent Committee, and lastly, he was ordained as a deacon. He continued to work faithfully in the church until his health began to fail. One of his greatest joys was being an extra in the movie, “42” (the story of Jackie Robinson) that was filmed here in Chattanooga. He faithfully showed up for filming every day, even though hours were long. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Dimple Louise Smartt, Marie Belle Salmon Clay, and Lela Bason Few; brother, Clifford Bason; daughter, Mary L. Hall. Cherishing his memories are his wife, Lila Salmon; son, Claude (Priscilla) Salmon, Jr.; daughters, Patricia S. (Daniel) Woods, Annette S. Morgan, and Cathy S. (Charles) Allen; grandsons, Daniel (Terra) Woods, III, Claude (Esther) Salmon, III, Kevin Salmon, Anthony Hall, Tracey (Yasani) Hall, and Eric Hall; granddaughters, Chartasha (Lecarus) Mason, Princess Salmon, and Jatonne Hall; sister-in-law, Rev. Jerrie D. Bason; 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter; a host of nieces, great nieces, nephews, great nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. Claude will lie-in-state on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at 2nd Baptist Church, located at 2305 East 3rd Street. Funeral service will follow at 12:00 noon. Burial in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
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