James Claude Golden

James Claude Golden, Jr. James Claude Golden, Jr., of Charlotte, died April 19, 2010 at home, following a series of illnesses that he had battled. Though he had increased difficulties the final three months of his life, he died peacefully in his sleep. Claude was born on June 23 in Woodlawn, Alabama, the son of James Claude Golden, Sr. and Virginia Holt Golden. His ancestry was Scots-Irish, Cherokee Indian and English. He attended Dora High School in Dora, Alabama where he excelled in basketball and baseball as the tallest member of his class. Following high school, Claude spent more than two years in the United States Navy, serving as a Radarman, Third Class. Most of his service was spent in the Pacific Ocean aboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma City cruiser, where he once spent many months without seeing land. During his military service, he received the American Theatre Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Medal (2 stars), and the Victory Medal. Claude was a genuine patriot who loved his country. He remained a loyal citizen until his death, always staying passionate and well-informed about events in the news. Claude was an alumnus of the University of Alabama, where he majored in business. He was a member of Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity. He remained in contact with several of his fraternity brothers throughout his life. While at Alabama, he continued his baseball career as a very good “southpaw” pitcher and first baseman. Claude was signed by the New York Yankees and played one summer for their minor league team, but turned down a baseball contract for a career in business. Claude was very proud of his “Sweet Home Alabama” and cheered faithfully for the Crimson Tide, right up through their 13th Football National Championship won in 2009. “Roll Tide!” Spending most of his working career in the textile manufacturing industry, Claude was a very hard worker and faithful employee. His primary job title was “Industrial Cost Engineer,” but he also spent time as a business consultant. He worked for several companies in the southeast, including National Spinning Company, Washington, North Carolina; Burlington Industries, various locations; and Summerour & Associates, Atlanta, Georgia. Claude settled in the Charlotte area with a job at Pharr Yarns in McAdenville, where he worked until his retirement in 1993. He enjoyed his work, rarely took a day off, and was always loyal to his employers. Claude’s strong work ethic was also a trait that was evident in his home life. He was a man of strong discipline, always keeping things organized around the house. If a bill came in the mail, the check was usually written the same day and the envelope stamped and ready to be mailed the next. He had a certain place where he put everything, and he would be sure to let you know if you got anything out of order. His gas tank never, ever went below a quarter of a tank, and he made sure that there was more than an adequate supply of household items on hand. He was a frugal man, always content with living modestly. He seemed to always take comfort in being well prepared. Claude was an avid sports fan, spending evenings and weekends watching many Braves baseball games, each week’s PGA tournament, and never missing an Alabama football game. He enjoyed playing golf, often playing 9 holes once a week after work, and 18 every Saturday that he could. His love for sports was shared with his sons, a love they have carried throughout their lives. His youngest sons were hooked on golf, always enjoying getting to play a round with dad. He even taught Beverly the game, and they enjoyed special times on the course together. Claude also loved to read. He was a faithful reader of his daily paper, and rarely was there a day that he didn’t read at least a couple of chapters of a good novel. The books he read probably totaled well over a thousand. He spent many evenings with a book in his lap while a game was on TV, though he would break often to get the latest from the Weather Channel. With his eyesight deteriorating in his later years, he still always had many books close by. Claude was, for the most part, a very quiet man. He was rarely the one to initiate a lot of conversation, though he would definitely tell you what he felt was right and wrong for any given situation. He would always prefer the quiet evening at home, and would avoid any place with big crowds and long lines. Though he was quiet and didn’t always express himself outwardly, he had a great love for his family and always enjoyed having them around. He was very proud of his children. During visits, as he “caught up” on their lives, he had a special smile that he would often show that assured them of just how proud he was. His grandchildren also put a special twinkle in his eye. In the final months of his life, Claude became more reflective of his beliefs. While never one to share very openly about spiritual things, he was a man of deep convictions and faith. As he neared his death, he shared with his family of his prayers to God, talked about God’s forgiveness of his sins, and ultimately acknowledged that he felt at peace with God in his soul. Just a week before his death, his pastor administered communion to him and Beverly at their home, a special experience for both of them. Claude will always be remembered as a good man who treated people well. He believed in doing things with faithfulness and discipline, and always held to his core principles. He was a proud American, and he loved his family. He will forever be missed. Claude is survived by his wife of almost 30 years, Beverly, of their home in Charlotte. His oldest son, Claude III, resides in Seattle, Washington with his wife Kate, and their sons, Rainer and Christian. His son Chad resides in Piedmont, Alabama with his daughter, Lyndsey. His son Tim resides in Plano, Texas with his wife Michele, and their son, Nicholas. His son Mike resides in Rock Hill, South Carolina with his wife Jeannie, and their children, Bethany, Samuel, Elijah and Ella. His daughter, Jeri Ware, resides in Gastonia, North Carolina with her husband Troy, their sons, Cassidy and his wife Ashley, and Daniel, and their grandsons, Skylar and Kegan. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 24, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at Belmont First Foursquare Church, 8 Elizabeth St., Belmont, NC 28012, with graveside service to follow at Gaston Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to Belmont First Foursquare Church’s “Hope Ministries.”