Claude Martin “C.M.” Carruth

Claude Martin Carruth went to be with the Lord and his beloved wife, Mary, on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Silsbee Oaks Health Care, Hardin County, Texas. After living 96 wonderful years, he peacefully passed on to Heaven surrounded by his loving family.  Claude was born on Tuesday, July 19, 1927, in Welch, Louisiana. He was the third son of Henry Thomas Carruth and Gertrude Stagg Carruth.  At the time of his death, this fine Christian gentleman was a faithful member of Crestwood Baptist Church, Lumberton, Texas.  For over 60 years, Claude Carruth was active within the Lumberton and Beaumont communities, where he was highly respected and well-loved. He was always willing to offer his help and his many talents, as well as a sweet smile and kind word to others. To know Claude Martin Carruth was to be blessed.

On February 14, 1948, Claude married the love of his life, the beautiful Miss Mary Lillian Dickey of Beaumont, Texas. Claude and Mary established their first home in Jefferson County, Texas, and eventually moved to Hardin County, Texas, where they built a home on some beautiful acreage in Chance-Loeb.  At the time of Mary’s death, they had been blissfully married for 70 adventurous years. They were the proud parents of two lovely daughters, Paula Jean Carruth Hargroder and Claudia Carruth Mouer.

Honoring a long-held family heritage of service to one’s country, Claude Martin Carruth was a proud veteran of WWII. His father, Henry Thomas Carruth, Sr., served in the United States Army during WWI.  Claude served in the United States Navy and reached the rank of Seaman First Class.  After his honorable discharge on August 6, 1946, he continued to serve his country in the USNR.  His boot camp training was at the United States Naval Training Center at the north end of San Diego Bay, San Diego, California. After boot camp, Claude’s first assignment was in the South Pacific. He was assigned to the Aiea/Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, area.  Eventually, he received orders to return to the Naval Training Center in San Diego, where he joined the fifteen crewmen of the USS PC-1078. This 173-foot, 8-inch ship was a PC-461 Class Submarine Chaser.  Their orders were to take the ship through the Panama Canal to Norfolk, VA.  While in Norfolk, VA, the U.S. Navy began its separation process for Claude Carruth.

Survivors include his two daughters, four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Claude Martin Carruth was immensely proud of his four grandchildren and maintained a strong, loving relationship with each of them. His beloved grandchildren are Jared Wesley Hargroder, Rachel Leigh Hargroder Shaver, Matthew Jackson Mouer, and Kelsey Marie Mouer.  Claude was blessed to experience the joy of six great grandchildren – Hunter Ashleigh Hargroder, Dawson Neal Shaver, Karsyn Brooke Shaver, Haleigh Breanne Shaver, Elliana Blayke Quiroz, and Theodore Jackson Mouer.

A gathering of Claude Carruth’s family and friends will begin at 11:00 a.m., with his funeral service at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. In recognition of Seaman First Class Claude Carruth’s sacrifice and faithful service to his country, a military honor guard will bestow military funeral honors. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine Street, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions can be made to Southeast Texas Veterans Service Group, P.O. Box 12352, Beaumont, Texas 77726.