The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Claude Alfred Huard, 93, of Hot Springs, died May 3. He was born Feb. 18, 1922 in Winnipeg. Canada to the late Joseph and Sylvia Huard. Claude grew up in Versailles, Mo. and was the oldest of four children.

A 1941 graduate of Versailles, Missouri High School, he graduated from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Oh. in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree in education with a major in physical education. He was a member of the PKA Fraternity and worked his way through college by doing magic shows, a hobby he loved, and continued to share his love of magic by entertaining and delighting audiences at variety shows and fund raisers throughout his life.

He enlisted in the Navy after High School where he served during WWII as a Pharmacist mate in Naval Hospitals and in the South Pacific. He was recalled during the Korean Conflict where he served as Recreational Director at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Great Lakes, Il.

Claude was a football, track, basketball coach and teacher in Wayne, Oh. before entering 37 years of YMCA work in Newark, Oh. He was Physical Director of the Newark YMCA, Director of Physical Education at the Bay City, Mi. YMCA, Branch Executive of the Milwaukee, Wi. YMCA, General Director of the Hereford, Tx. YMCA and General Director of the Port Arthur YMCA.

During his life Claude served as a school board member for 12 years, in Menomonee Falls, Wi., on the board of Directors of the American Red Cross Port Arthur, Babe Ruth Baseball Ohio State Director, PTA President’s Council Chairman, Scout Master, Secretary and President of the Optimist’s Club, Physical Director of the Year, Community Chest Fund Drive-Division Leader, Physical Fitness Consultant, YMCA and YWCA.

Claude always said, “I always try to leave the community I’m in better than when I arrived,” and he did.

After retirement he moved to Hot Springs, Ar., where he volunteered as the Executive Director at Quapaw Senior Center in Hot Springs. He was an active member of the Hot Springs Elk Club and was voted Elk of The Year in 2009-2010 and held a variety of positions. He received an award for being the highest fund raiser for the Elks in the state of Arkansas. Claude and JoAnn loved dancing and could be found on many Friday nights dancing at the Elks Club to the music of a live band.

Loving survivors include his wife of 23 years, JoAnn Huard, of Hot Springs; daughter, Linda (Lawrence) Schaefer, of American Fork, Ut; son, Claude (Jane) Huard, of Branson, Mo; son, John Huard, of St. Cloud, Mn; four step-children: Diane (Roland) Bertrand, Kyle (Belinda) Braquet, Melissa (Bobby) Womble, Brenda (Scott) Wilber; nine Grandchildren and nine step-grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and eight step great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Hot Springs, Elks Lodge Piggy Bank Fund that helps supports the Arkadelphia Human Development Center. For donations call 501-525-1020

A memorial service will be Wednesday, May 6, afternoon at the Elks Lodge.