| Sources |
- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 8 Feb 2007.
Ersabelle Price Messamore obituary
- [S119] Highland Memorial Parks, Funerals and Cremations, http://www.highlandmemorialparks.com, 7 Apr 2007.
November 04, 1921 - April 07, 2007
Claude Earl Messamore Sr., age 85, went to be with his Lord and his wife on their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary, April 7, 2007 at Shannondale Nursing Home. He was born November 4th, 1921 in Knoxville, TN to Samuel Bradley and Odessa Overton Messamore of Clinton, TN. Claude was an eighth generation American of Alsatian-German descent and from one of the founding families of Tennessee. He graduated from Knoxville HS in 1939 and Draughon's business college in 1942. Shortly before entering the Army, he married his ‘wife for life,’ Ersabelle Price of Sevierville, TN.
He was a WWII veteran and served from 1942-54 as an Army Infantry Lieutenant, Platoon Leader and Commander in B and Headquarters Companies, 314th INF Regt, 79th INF Div as they fought across France, Alsace, the Battle of the Bulge, the Rhine, and eventually to Czechoslovakia, where he acted as part of the security for the Nuremberg War Trials. His awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and four Battle Stars for his heroic service to your country. After his return to the U.S., 1st Lt. Messamore continued to serve as a nuclear courier for the Atomic Energy Commission, Oak Ridge, TN from 1948-1954. He then worked for many happy years as a traveling salesman with a succession of firms, including: American Floor Machines, the Tetley Tea Company, Beechnut Foods, and Graham Paper Company. He finished his career, again serving in a government position, as a right-of-way buyer for the State of Tennessee Department of Transportation, retiring in 1998. Claude was proud to be a 32nd degree Mason and was active in the Burlington lodge for many years. He served his spiritual community as a long time Deacon and Elder of Fairmont and Eastminster Presbyterian Churches in NorthEast Knoxville.
Claude was recently preceded in death by his wife and constant companion, Ersabelle, who died on February 6th, 2007; He loved Ersabelle wholeheartedly and supervised her daily care over five years in the nursing home. Claude is survived by four loving children and their families: Claude Jr. (Colonel, USAF Ret.) and Barbara of Amherst, NH, Margaret (Margo) and Don Puckett of Knoxville, John (Colonel, Army Ret.) and wife Pamela (Colonel, USAF Ret.) of Florence, Alabama, and Steven Hal and Claudette of Knoxville; also eight grandchildren: Claude Messamore III (Chip), Laura Kilpatrick, David and his wife Emily Messamore, Scott Messamore, Julie Messamore, John Ben Messamore, Angela Whaley and her husband David, and four beloved great grandchildren, Luke and Evan Whaley, and Laura Elizabeth and Eva Marie Messamore. Claude also leaves one brother Bernard Bradley of Knoxville, one nephew Bernard (Brad) Messamore, and one great nephew, Samuel Bradley Messamore of Knoxville.
Claude Sr. was a loving father and most devoted husband, a wise counselor, a man of humor, honor and grace; slow to anger and quick to forgive. He loved his family, this nation, the open road, a good joke, individual freedom, a cold beer at the old Irish Grill, hearing the ‘Wildwood Flower’, and Tennessee football. He is in a better place today and for that we are thankful; we are all better for having known him, and we miss him already. God Bless you in your journey.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 7225 Old Clinton Pike, Knoxville, TN 37921 in honor of Fred West, Fran Vickers and Don Sweet for their faithful visitation of both Claude and Ersabelle.
The family would like to thank the staff of Shannondale Nursing Home, especially the fourth floor staff for their compassionate and loving care for both our parents.
The family will receive friends from 12-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 14 at Highland Memorial Funeral Home (Bearden). A Masonic service will follow in the Chapel. The committal service will then follow in Highland Memorial Cemetery with full military honors. Highland Memorial Park, Funerals and Cremations (Bearden) is honored to be serving the family of Claude Messamore. (588-0567)
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1921 - 2007 (85 years)
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