Funeral services for Dr. Claude Howard Current, 96 of Ferriday, LA will be held 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Ferriday on Sunday January 16, 2011 with Bro. Clyde Ray Webber officiating. Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Mausoleum under the direction of Young's Funeral Home.
Dr. Current was born on August 31, 1914 in the community of Jimtown in Schuyler County, Missouri to William Warder Current and Sarah Isabell Current. He passed away Friday, January 14, 2011 at his residence in Ferriday. Dr. Current attended Jimtown Consolidated School, graduated from Glenwood H.S., Glenwood, Missouri. He received a B.S. in agriculture from the University of Missouri, and received the doctor of optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tn. Dr. Current was one of the founders of La. Central Bank now Delta Bank. He served on board of directors until retirement one of the founders of Ferriday Finance Co. and served as its president for 30 years. He was a past member of Rotary Club and was one of the founders of Ferriday Kiwanis Club, Louisiana Optometric Ass., and President of La. Board of Optometry Examiners. He was a 50 year member of Ferriday Masonic Lodge and a Shriner. Served on the Board of Deacons and Elders of the Presbyterian Church for over 50 years and was treasurer for 10 years.
Before his military service in World War II he taught vocational agriculture in Waynesville, Missouri. He proudly served in the United States Army during World War II. He was inducted as a private on June 6, 1941 and commissioned as an officer on July, 1943. He served overseas with Ordanance Automotive Maintence Company and was company commander at the time in Australia and New Guenia. He also served ordnance at Camp Pacific in New Orleans. He was discharged as a captain in May of 1946.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William W. Current and Sarah West Current; two sisters, Letha O. Lile and Helen West; three brothers, Elner Current, Elza Current and Herman Current.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years Wife, Hazel Current; three daughters, Marlyn Crump and husband, Ed, Peggy Turnbough and husband, Bill and Cindy Cole and husband, Roy; seven granddaughters, Andee Blauser and husband Jeff, Rachel Turnbough, Mindy McCelvey and husband, David, Currie Custer and husband, Kelly, Tullie Solieau and husband David, Rebecca Ostrow and husband, Mike and Carolyn Mandajam and husband, Suraj; fourteen great-grandchildren, Bert Gerhardt, Meg Gerhardt, Rachel Ann Gerhardt, Katie Maude Gerhardt, Winn Custer, Mac Custer, Susie Solieau, Will McCelvey, Matt McCelvey, George McCelvey, Abbie Blauser, Cooper Blauser, Rachel Ostrow and Rohan Mandajam; one niece, Lola Mae Anderson; three nephews, David Current, Jerry West and Edward West.
Pallbearers will be Tom Miliken, Ronnie Bradford, Andy Anders, Terry Corbet, Randy Miller, John Rife and Ronnie Bradford.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Reggie Poole, Red Robertson, Joe Sechiele and all elder members of First Presbyterian Church of Ferriday. A special thanks to Dr. Huey Moak, Mrs. Janice Caesor, Mrs. Lorretta Cotton, Mrs. Annette Campbell and Mrs. Elaine White.
The family will receive friends at the First Presbyterian Church of Ferriday on Saturday January 15, 2011 beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
To leave an online condolence for the family please visit
www.youngsfh.comYoung's Funeral Home
Ferriday, LA.
Published by The News Star on Jan. 15, 2011.