Claude Luther O’Bryan from Winnfield, LA passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at Riverside Hospital in Alexandria at the age of 84.
Claude L. was born August 22, 1936, to Lorice Burnum O’Bryan Cole and Claude O’Bryan of Calvin, La. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sydney O’Bryan, brother, Connor Atherton, great-grandchild, and wife Wanda Sue O’Bryan.
Growing up Claude was an avid outdoorsman where he enjoyed gardening, raising cattle and horses, and hog hunting. He was an outstanding basketball player for Calvin High School and remained a loyal Calvin Cougar throughout his life. He joined the Louisiana National Guard after graduating high school. Claude L worked in many industries throughout life including, farming, ranching, oil field, telephone company, and trucking. He owned his own trucking business before he retired.
Claude L., or as some have called him, “Mr. Winnfield”, dedicated many years to his community. He could always be seen in his standard outfit: a pair of overalls, a pearl-snap shirt, boots, a cowboy hat, and a cigar. He enjoyed riding around town in his truck with his dog. After retiring, he offered downtown horse-drawn wagon rides for the community to see the Christmas lights while singing Christmas carols. He served Winn Parish in many capacities by volunteering his time, coordinating events, holding positions on local boards, and being the one who knew the background of many activities and organizations. No matter where you ran into him, he always had a story to share. Claude L served on the Winn Parish Fair Board, Winn Riding Club Board, helped establish the Winn Parish Hog Hunters Association, served on the local Chamber of Commerce, and helped hold down the roundtable at the “coffee shop” uptown. The one thing that most people will remember Claude L for is his creation, followed by his heart and soul dedication for the continuation of the event that has become the “Super Bowl” of hog baying, “Uncle Earl’s Hog Dog Trials” held yearly in March.
Claude L was a dedicated Christian who was quick to bring out his Bible and pray for you or with you. He fulfilled his life by being a loving husband, brother, uncle, cousin and father, but his favorite role throughout life was his dedication to those who called him “Papaw.”
Survivors include daughter Debbie Connor of Jonesboro, stepson Cullen Nugent (Kayla) of Sevierville, TN, brother Donnis O’Bryan (Polly) of Shreveport, LA, sister-in-laws, Sandra O’Bryan of Milton, GA, and Elanore Rowe of Shreveport, La, and his grandchildren, (the pride and joys of his life), Randa Connor (Greg) of Winnfield, LA, Colby Nugent (Holly) of Wears Valley, TN, Colton Nugent (Elizabeth) of Seymour, TN and Kaytlen Nugent of Sevierville, TN and great-grandchild, Brooklyn Nugent of Sevierville, TN.
Claude L leaves behind treasured family members and friends that will sadly miss him.
Visitation will be held at Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield, LA Friday, May 21, 2021, 5 pm-8 pm. Graveside services will be held at Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery in Calvin, LA Saturday, May 22, 2021, at 10 am with Reverend Lamar Carpenter and Reverend Bobby Bates officiating.
Pallbearers will be Billy Joe Huff, Kelly Lee, Colby Nugent, Colton Nugent, Cullen Nugent, Ronald O’Bryan and Greg Williams, Jr.
Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Burnum, Jay Cloud, Jerry Cloud, Leroy James, Cecil O’Bryan, Donald O’Bryan, Donnis O’Bryan, George O’Bryan, James O’Bryan, William Howard O’Bryan, Gary Scobee, Sam Watson and the dedicated members of the Uncle Earl’s Hog Dog Trials Board.
“Oh the last goodbyes are the hardest ones to say, and this is where the cowboy rides away.” -George Strait
Go Rest High, Cowboy, for your work here is done.
