Claude Redd

Claude Matthews Redd Jr., February 15, 1924 to June 17, 2025.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee to Claude Matthews Redd, Sr. and Mary Belle Crossett Redd.
Preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, Marie Brown Redd; sister, Frances Wetherholt, Wife Dolores Cathrine Pecaro Redd, and son-in-law, Howell Pope.
He was a longtime resident of South Florida (Miami-Dade County), parttime resident of Hawaii, longtime summer resident of Morganton (Fannin County, Georgia) moving fulltime to Central Florida (Webster, Sumter County) after retiring. An avid sportsman, he enjoyed water sports (prolific Slalom skier), swimming, inner tubing on Toccoa River in North Georgia, softball, and bowling (achieving many perfect games). Due to his active lifestyle, he maintained good health throughout his lifetime and lived to be 101 years old.
Survivors include longtime companion, Christine Tabisola; daughters, Charlene Marie Pope, Teresa Lynn Redd, daughter and son-in-law, Carol Ann and Larry Davenport. Granddaughter and husband, DeDe and Tim Dunn, Granddaughter and husband, Kerri and Ed Clardy, Grandson and significant other, Brandon Linder and Amanda Eavenson, Granddaughter, Cathrine Linder, Grandson and wife, Devon and Amber Linder. Great- granddaughter and husband, Ashley and Colton White, Great granddaughter and husband, Jessica and Rick Gilmer, Great-granddaughter and significant other, Kirsten Clardy and Brandon Brooks, Great- Granddaughters, Jacy Linder, Alyson Linder, and Kaitlyn Linder. Great- grandson and wife, Aaron and Abby Dunn, Great- grandsons, Christian Linder, Riley Linder, Calvin Linder, and Kane Eavenson;Great-great-granddaughters, Hadlee White, Madilyn Brooks, and Morgan Brooks. Great-great- grandson, Easton White. Niece and husband, Peggy and Jack Voorhees, Grandnephew, Carson Voorhees, Grandniece and husband, Jennifer and Scott Nelson, Great grandnieces Kate and Leah Nelson. Also, many nieces and nephews from his late wife's family.
On the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Redd entered the Navy at age 17 while a senior in high school, after his parents reluctantly signed a waiver for his age. He was then placed into active duty February 1942. He then enlisted in the Air Force. As a crew chief (Senior Master Sergeant) he went on numerous covert operations including the Dynasoar project which was the prototype for the Space Shuttle. He was stationed at numerous bases, including Opa-locka, Florida (where his daughter Charlene was born), Newfoundland, Canada (where daughter Teresa was born), Greenville, Mississippi (where daughter Carol was born). Finally settling at Homestead AFB in South Florida in 1957. After being discharged from the Air Force, he entered employment with the City of Miami, driving a dump truck for the Water Department, later becoming a meter reader. After that department was taken over by Miami-Dade County, he was employed as a housing inspector for HUD.
A Graveside service was held Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Memphis National Cemetery Memphis, Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent by check to:(please make the check out to the National Park Service) Attn: Superintendent, Arizona Memorial Pearl Harbor National Memorial 1 Arizona Memorial Place Honolulu, Hawaii 96818.
Please visit his memorial page at www.williamsthomasfuneralhome.com.