Claude Allan Fitch

Claude Allan Fitch, age 86, of Shreveport, LA passed peacefully from this life in his sleep the morning of October 31, 2015. He was born September 20, 1929, in Harlingen, TX. He is preceded in death by his parents, Claude William Fitch and Byrdie White Dittfurth; his beloved Stepmother, Alla Maie, and his older brother, David (who was deceased as a toddler).

He is survived by his son, Mark Fitch (Valerie) of Fort Smith, AR, and his daughter, Marlyse Ridenour (Randy) of Lakewood, CO; two granddaughters, Caitlin Fitch of Conway, AR, and Madison Taylor of Lakewood, CO; two former wives, Lois Ryan Fitch of Wheat Ridge, CO, and Nadine (Dena) Blaylock Davis of Shreveport, LA; and his special friend and caregiver, Pearl Taylor (and her husband, Eddie) of Shreveport, LA.

Claude graduated from Belcher High School, Belcher, LA, in 1947; worked as a teenager in a grocery store; and, later worked as a traveling salesman for Hadicol. During the Korean conflict, he served in the National Guard. Some of his other pursuits included Justice of the Peace, Pulaski County, AR, and for several years owned a collector coin shop in Little Rock, AR, and wrote articles for a coin collector magazine. Claude also worked as Circulation Manager for the Arkansas Gazette, in Little Rock, AR, in the early 1950’s and later as Collection Manager for Montgomery Ward Department Stores in Little Rock, AR, and Lafayette, LA. Claude earned his CCCE Designation (Certified Consumer Credit Examiner) and worked many years in the credit and collections industry before retiring in September of 2013, after 20 years with United-Built Homes in Shreveport, LA, prior to residing at Spring Lake Nursing Home.

Claude was, as his friends, family, and caretakers can confirm, a character. He loved good food and strong coffee, was quick with a joke, and would never turn down an opportunity to go fishing or sit on the porch and smoke his cigars or his pipe.

His funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 2:00 pm and will be held in the Centuries Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 8801 Mansfield Rd., Shreveport, LA, with Pastor Ken Gilbert, whom Claude met in the nursing home, as Officiant. Honoring Claude as pallbearers are John Harrison, Charles Beard, Jerry Kidwell and Edward Moore. Interment follows at Centuries Memorial Park.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

You may share words of comfort with the family by visiting www.centureismemorialfh.com