Claude E. Mclain Jr.

Claude was born in Columbus, Georgia in 1934 and died December 18, 2016 in Alabaster, Alabama. Claude was preceded death by his wife Sonya In April 2014. He is survived by his son Scott McLain, daughter-in-law Dr. Sara Edwards McLain of Alabaster and daughter Sharon McLain Dugan of Laguna Beach, California. As a young man, Claude was active in sports and community services, including the YMCA in Ensley. He graduated from Ensley High School in 1951, and then attended Auburn University. He graduated from Auburn University in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree and married Sonya Elizabeth Ellette in March 1956. Claude attended Naval Officer’s Candidate School in Newport Rhode Island was assigned to the active duty at the National Security Agency in Ft. Meade, Maryland. He retired from active duty and he was active in the Navy reserves until his retirement. In the later 1970s Claude accepted a position as the environmental/safety officer with Hoechst-Celanese facility in Cumberland, Maryland; so he and Sonya moved to the small mountain town in the coal mining area of the state. Claude was then promoted and transferred to the plant in Rock Hill, near Charlotte, North Carolina. Then after a successful career, Claude retired from Celanese and they relocated to Alpharetta, Georgia, where Claude started an environmental consulting business. Claude and Sonya retired from business and returned to Birmingham in the late 1990’s, settling in Vestavia Hills. They joined the Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills upon their return from Georgia and made many new friends. They renewed their marriage vows in 2006, on their fiftieth wedding anniversary at the beautiful downtown Birmingham Episcopal Cathedral. As a lifelong gentleman and a scholar, Claude set a great example for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Since his Auburn University days, he retained his connections to his friends, fraternity brothers and Navy buddies. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lee County Historical Society in Loachapoka, Alabama are requested: Lee County Historical Society P. O. Box 206 6500 Stage Road (Hwy 14) Loachapoka, AL 36865 Phone: 334-887-3007 e-mail: [email protected] . Memorial services for Claude will be held Wednesday December 21 at Elmwood Chapel in Birmingham - Visitation at 10AM, Memorial Services at 11AM, with Graveside Services to follow at Elmwood Cemetery.