Claude Leman Pendergraft of Rural Delaware County, Oklahoma, age 84, “drug up” and went home for the last time on Friday, December 2, 2022.
Claude was born on November 3, 1938, to the late Frank Nova and Myrtle May (Ryter) Pendergraft, on Brush Creek in rural McDonald County, Missouri the 5th or 8 children.
Claude was drafted into the Army, served in the 33rd Artillery Battalion and enjoyed attending army reunions over the years. He was a member of the Pipeline Union Local 798 for 54 years. Pipelining was a family industry that included his brothers, son, and nephews. He and his brothers all worked the Trans Alaskan Line and were recognized by the Union as the first four brothers who all were members for over 50 years.
He spent down times building bolted silos while waiting for a line to ‘kick off’ or for the ‘out of work list’ to call. He traveled and worked in every continental state and in Europe and Africa. He was a consummate storyteller with an incredible memory for details of every person and place he visited. He also had an extensive knowledge of scripture and history.
He had a love of food and most enjoyed sharing it at family gatherings. He played a mean game of dominos and spades. Loved Elmer Kelton western novels, stopping at garage sales and good cowboy boots.
He is most likely to be remembered for passing out chocolate covered cherries at Christmas.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Taylor Johnson; two brothers, George Hansel and Dewey Pendergraft; two sisters, Barbara Rice and Dosha Nesbitt; and a son-in-law, Darren Johnson.
Claude is survived by his four children, LaDonna Yelverton of Jay, Oklahoma, Amy Johnson of Owasso, Oklahoma, Stephen Pendergraft and wife, Lisa, of Jay, Oklahoma and Daniel Pendergraft and wife, Andrea, of Owasso, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren, Joshua Hale, Brittany Agee, Ashley Agee, Kaylee Bond, Ashley Johnson, Connor Pendergraft, Hailey Johnson, Trevor Pendergraft and Christian Johnson; fourteen great grandchildren; a brother, Harvey Pendergraft and wife, Vicki, of Gravette, Arkansas; two sisters, Frankie Almeda and Iris Chapman both of Seneca, Missouri; a bonus brother, Jimmie “Weed” Martin of Southwest City, Missouri; as well as a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 10, 2022, at the Full Gospel Church in Southwest City, Missouri, with Darren Robbins and Stephen Pendergraft officiating. Burial will follow at Indianola Cemetery. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are Joshua Hale, Connor Pendergraft, Hailey Johnson, Trevor Pendergraft, Christian Johnson and Natalie Brouwer. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6-8:00 p.m. at the church. Memorials are being directed to the Local #798 Pipeliners Union Benefit Fund c/o the funeral home. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website, www.ozarkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri.