A beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Claude Marion Durham, 85, passed away on Sunday, April 17, 2011 in Flagstaff, Arizona of natural causes.Claude was born on March 1, 1926 in LaJara, Colorado.

Claude lived in Denver, Colorado as a child and later moved to San Francisco where he graduated from High School.In 1944 Claude enlisted in the Navy just before the end of World War II and served on the USS Tate and the USS Adria.Claude later attended California Arts and Crafts College and graduated with an Art Degree.

Claude worked for JC Penney's in Washington and later transferred to Phoenix, Arizona where he retired as the Advertising Manager.After retiring from JC Penney's, Claude became a volunteer at John C. Lincoln Hospital and earned a National Award for his volunteer hours. In 1996 he and his wife, Jean, relocated to Flagstaff, Arizona.His hobbies included wood carving, wood working and he was well known for his one-of-a-kind birdhouses.Claude loved life, he loved spending time with family and he especially adored children.He also loved camping and being outdoors and spent many summers at their cabin in the San Juan Mountains in Colorado.

Claude is survived by his wife, Jean Durham, five children, Ken Durham, Katie (Richard) Johnson, Claudia (Steve) Allen, Stephanie (Mark) Bone and Laura Durham, and six step-children, Beth Humphreys, Patti (Barry) Shannon, Lynn Loisel, Lisa (Paul) Wilde, David Humphreys and Susan Davis.Claude is also survived by twenty three grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

A Graveside Memorial Service with Veterans honors will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2011 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Northland Hospice, P.O. Box 997, Flagstaff, AZ 86002.