Claude H. Jeffrey

Claude H. Jeffrey, 81, of Topeka, passed away on Saturday, December 23, 2006 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka. He was born on October 30, 1925 in Richland, the son of Ross and Helen Howard Jeffrey. He spent his early life on a farm west of Richland. He graduated from Overbrook High School in 1943. He went into the United States Navy at the age of 17. He saw action in the South Pacific Theater at Leyte Gulf, Luzon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was called back into the Navy in 1952 during the Korean War. Claude and his father operated a service station in the Oakland area until 1959. He became a gasoline and oil jobber for Skelly Oil Co. in the 1960's and later became a Texaco oil jobber in 1981. He supplied gasoline and motor oil to service stations in the Topeka area and farms in the surrounding area. He retired in 1988. He was a member of the Richland Post No. 391 of the American Legion. Claude married Roberta Lee Cox on June 12, 1948 in Topeka. She survives. Other survivors include one son, Gary Jeffrey of Berryton, two granddaughters and one great-granddaughter. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery southeast of Topeka. Claude will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to Midland Hospice Care, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.