Claud Cowan Chick

Claud Cowan Chick passed into eternal life on March 7, 2015 at the Morton County Hospital in Elkhart, Kansas after a short illness.

Claud was the first born son of five children born to Dow Boyd Chick and Elsie Fern (Messer) Chick. Claud was born on the family ranch seven miles east of Campo, Colorado on August 3, 1920.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dow and Fern; sister, Elma Aliene (Chick) Morrison; brothers, Laurence Chick and Daniel Chick; brother-in-law, Robert Morrison; sister-in-law, Etta Mae (Isom) Chick ; and nephews, Boyd Iliff Chick, Tracy Chick, Danny Chick, and Sherry Sue.

Claud attended Prairie Del School where he finished grade school and then attended Vilas through high school where he graduated as Salutatorian of his senior class. Claud then enrolled at Panhandle State University where he received all credits needed to graduate but before doing so, he volunteered to serve in the Army Air Force where he served his country for four years. In later years, he was proud to receive is College Diploma from Panhandle State University, since he had not received it earlier through graduation due to his military service.

Claud served in the Army Air Force with the 43rd Bomb Squad in the Pacific Theatre and Guam. Claud was an Electrical Mechanic working on the bombers during his service. He received the American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged on January 16, 1946.

After his service, Claud returned home to the family ranch where he spent the next 60 years of his life. In his leisure time, Claud loved sports and loved playing baseball with the Chick family traveling team. He also enjoyed bowling with family members on a bowling team for many years.

During Claud’s early years of life on the farm, he enjoyed flying his plane and riding his motorcycle. Claud had a lifetime pilots’ license from the civil aeronautics administration and was also a lifetime member of the American Legion. Claud also enjoyed hunting coyotes with his brothers and his dad. Claud was instilled with a very high work ethic and could always be counted on to help with anything that needed to be done around the farm.

On October 1, 1949, Claud married Belva Dean Brinkley and to this union were born Trull Enzelow Chick and Valerie LaNene (Chick) Smith. He was a caring father and then later, grandfather of five and great-grandfather of nine.

Claud was saved and baptized and became a member of the Campo Baptist Church where he served as Deacon in 1958.

Clauds’ determination to give the community children the best he knew they deserved, inspired him to serve on the Campo Schools Board of Education for 25 years. His financial skills and ability to research for creative ways to help the school was a constant through these years. He was a member of BOCES Educational Funding Organization and through the years never missed a meeting in Lamar, Colorado. He was always proud and determined to serve his community and its youth.

Claud spent his last few mobile years enjoying living on the farm/ranch where he had been born and raised, tending to the cattle and farming and enjoying his family.

Claud leaves to mourn his death, one brother, Illif Dow Chick and wife Winona; wife, Belva Chick; son, Trull Enzelow Chick and wife Vicki; daughter, Valerie LaNene (Chick) Smith and husband Darrell; five grandchildren, Tyson Jo Chick and wife Jennifer, Tyler Dwayne Chick, Tylynn Rene (Chick) Brick and husband Aaron, Trevor Warren Smith and wife Michelle, and Chelsey Dawn Smith; nine great-grandchildren, Trey Chick, Isabelle Chick, Avery Tavia Brick, Hannah Kathlene Smith, Gehrig Warren Smith, Jude William Smith, Gavin Lane Serna, Greysen Max Smith, Gemma Elaina Smith; two nephews, Robert C. Morrison and Mark Chick; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM MST on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at Campo Baptist Church in Campo, Colorado with Pastor Bob Ulrey and Pastor Ed Richards officiating. Burial will follow at Campo Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the VFW and American Legion. Memorial contributions may be given, in lieu of flowers, to the Campo School in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950.