Claude Pence

Claude Eugene Pence (age 89) peacefully passed away on January 28, 2024 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Claude was a devoted husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather whose family meant everything to him. He was predeceased by his parents, Claude L Pence and Sarah Dick Pence, his brother Audie Pence, and grandchild Coy Edmonds. He is survived by his daughter Danette Pence, son Kerry Pence, step-sister Susan Riley (Roger), step-brother Dale Dahl, step-family Kathy Edmonds, Kim Lawing (Jerry), Kevin Fennell (Elizabeth), grandchildren Logan, Eric, Kevin, Nicole, Thomas Lawing (Jennifer), Michelle Lawing (Claudio), Marla Edmonds and many great-grandchildren.  

Claude was born on December 29, 1934, in Stockton, CA and grew up on a grape ranch in Lodi, CA. He shared stories of a wonderful childhood with Audie including that they joined the National Guard together. He lived in San Pablo, CA until his first marriage when he moved to Richmond, CA. He loved to fish in the central Valley Delta. Claude was kind of funny because instead of drinking when he got upset, he would get a package of Oreo cookies from the store and eat those to calm down. On the weekends, he would attend the Fremont CA drag races where he would race his company car, 1966 Plymouth GTX 440 6 pack. He was a car enthusiast, an avid bowler and loved to square dance. He moved to Fort Worth, TX where he met and married Rosmary. They were a team C&R and he would tell people that she was the love of his life as he was hers during their 44 years of marriage. He was such a good person to tell her daily "I love you". He was very sociable. He loved to visit with the people he met and he made great connections during his community outing including Walmart. He was so gifted in the sales field, he was called the silver tongued devil. He sold dental equipment then sold cars. He never really retired from sales since he became a treasure seeker. He would visit Castaways twice each day along with shopping at local garage sales inbetween. He worked at Captain's Open Air Market in Aransas Pass on the weekends. He was still planning for another garage sale in a few months. Claude made a lasting impact on the lives of those who knew him as he touched the hearts of many and will be greatly missed. 

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 9th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home in Rockport, Texas. A Celebration of Life is planned in First Baptist Church, Rockport, at 11 AM, on February 10, 2024. 

Donations in memory of or in honor of Claude can be sent to Castaways Thrift Shop, 211 N Market, Rockport, TX 78382.