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Claude Fouillade Obituary
Dr. Claude Jean Fouillade (1946-2020) passed away in his sleep on July 11, 2020 in Las Cruces, NM after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Born an only child in Paris, France, Claude served in the French Air Force as an officer and English instructor. He was educated at the Sorbonne and then, upon moving to America, he completed his PhD studies in Romance Languages (Medieval French Literature) at the University of New Mexico.
Claude went on to teach language studies at the University level for over fifty years, including the last thirty-five years at New Mexico State University, where he served for some years as Chair of the Language Department. During his career Dr. Fouillade taught thousands of students French, Spanish, Latin, movie history, and French culture. He retired from NMSU in 2018 as Professor Emeritus. Beyond the classroom, Claude was immensely passionate in his research and writing on French literature and French art history across the American Southwest for which he published numerous works.
Always a student of world languages, Claude taught himself numerous foreign languages, including immersing himself in those cultures through their art history, writing, and music. Claude also loved watching Tottenham Hotspur (English Premier League) football, the French National Soccer Team, Atlanta Braves baseball, and reading poetry from around the world.
Claude is survived by his loving wife, Sharon, two daughters, Sarah Johnson (husband Stephen) and Gigi Beckman (husband JD), and two granddaughters and "treasures", Harper and Elise. He will be remembered as a father, husband, son, grandfather, and teacher.
A celebration of Claude's life will be held at a future date, when his close family and friends can all be in attendance. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Claude's memory at https://www.stjude.org/.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Claude Fouillade
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Jodi Avalos
July 17, 2024
Hi Claude, we sure miss you. It would´ve been really nice to talk about England getting into the finals of the euro cup with you. Some of your Hotspurs Sure it great to watch. Until we meet again...
Jerry stauffer
February 27, 2021
When I gave him a taste of some New Mexico wine, he ceremoniously walked over to the sink, poured it in,and turned on the disposal. His language skills were so great that he told jokes in English dialects like deep South, and was indistinguishable from a native.
Nicholas Tchau
February 13, 2021
A friend of mine posted a photo of chocolat soufflés she made today and it made me think about my French teacher in college. Professeur Claude Fouillade. I was a French student at Southeastern Oklahoma State University (1979-1982). Professeur Fouillade would host these little dinner parties for his students and he always made chocolat soufflés. His classes taught language, history and culture. I remember Monsieur Fouillade playing soccer with the intramural teams and playing the lead Count in a university-production of "Dracula." He influenced and brought French culture and appreciation to many students over many years. He will be greatly missed. I enjoyed his classes and being one of his students.
Chris Wagnon
February 8, 2021
My heart sunk with this news even though I'm just finding out now that Dr. Fouillade passed away in July. I took a few of his classes at NMSU. Foreign languages didn't come easy for me but Dr. Fouillade was a big reason I able to get through it and he had a class on French literature and how French and Latin based languages made an impact on Western culture. He really took the time to get to know his students individually and was very easy going. Dr. Fouillade made my NMSU learning experience very enjoyable.
Frances Medina Dodson
December 6, 2020
I am so sorry to hear of Claude’s passing. I met Claude at the UNM French Summer School which was held in Montezuma, New Mexico. I worked for the French Department and was a graduate student in French. Claude was so intelligent and so funny. All of the students loved listening to him. I also remember how much he loved his family. When I knew him you may have only had daughter or maybe just had your second child. He was a very proud father. I have so many fond memories of Claude and although I only knew him for a couple of summers he was an influence on my studies and part of the reason I am a French teacher today. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Frances Medina Dodson
Frances Medina Dodson
December 6, 2020
I am so sorry to hear of Claude's passing. I met Claude at the UNM French Summer School which was held in Montezuma, New Mexico at the United World College. I worked for the French Department and was a graduate student in French at UNM. I have such fond memories of working with Claude. He was so intelligent and so funny. I remember him talking about you, Sharon, and how much he loved his family. You may have only had one daughter when I knew him or maybe had just your second child. All of the students at the summer school loved talking to Claude and hearing his stories. He was a special man and I feel fortunate to have known him during those summer sessions. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Repose en paix, mon ami.
Frances Medina Dodson
Sheila Marquez
August 3, 2020
My deepest sympathies to the Fouillade family during this difficult time. Gigi, I am so sorry to hear about your fathers' passing, he was such a kind person. I hope you and your family are doing as best as you can. A donation will be made in his honor. Au Revoir Monsieur, repose en paix.
Jon Davis
July 27, 2020
I read Peter Goodman every week, but I only read Obituaries about once a month. So, I want to thank Mr. Goodman for bringing Claude Foullaide’s passing to my attention. Claude Foullaide did not give me an interest in foreign languages , I already had that. However, he did help me improve my ability to read French greatly (however, when I speak French in France, the listener usually suggests politely that we switch to English!).
Living in the current time, I feel lucky to have grown up during an earlier time, when foreigners like Claude were encouraged to come to America to enrich our culture, our country and our lives. Bon voyage, Claude!
Emily Ranken
July 26, 2020
Sharon and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m very glad I got to meet Claude a few years ago and hear the story of how he met and wooed you, Sharon I could tell he was a loving, interesting and fun life partner for you. You are in my thoughts. Love, Em
Helen Hoorfar Attai
July 25, 2020
He was a big part of our lives, great memories of happier days with him! He played so many roles in my life, my English & French teacher/ professor, my dad (he liked to act as one ), my older brother, my host family, my great friend with good heart and advice & my competition in cooking Ratatouille and arguing about where the origin of that meal is from. I miss his French onion soups and so much more about him, he was a wonderful man! He will be missed tremendously, loved him, May he Rest In Peace!
Love you sharon and the girls (Sarah F Johnson & Gigi Beckman) so much! ❤
Donation was made.
Jodi Avalos
July 25, 2020
Repose en paix, mon ami
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