Claude File

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Claude File, Jr. lived a life of purpose while holding his loved ones near. He took his roles as a husband and father to heart, and he worked tirelessly to make sure that his family was provided for. Claude was more quiet and reserved, the type of person who was content to be working in the background. He enjoyed so many things, but nothing was better than sharing experiences with the ones he loved. Life will never be the same without Claude here, but he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on in his footsteps. It seems only fitting that Claude’s story began during a time that was as vibrant as he was. It was the decade we commonly recall as the Roaring Twenties when innovation was ushering in conveniences that made our lives so much easier. Washing machines, refrigerators, and cars mass produced on assembly lines were among them, and prosperity was largely felt nationwide. It was as winter held the city of Toledo, Ohio, firmly in its grip in 1928 that Claude Sr. and Ida (Coleman) File announced the birth of the baby boy they named Claude Jr. on January 31st. He was joined in his family by his brother, Ron, and he also had two half-sisters whom he didn’t meet until his late seventies. Claude began working at a young age, selling candy bars in a burlesque house in Toledo when he was just 14. He attended local schools and completed the ninth grade in Toledo. As a young boy of 17, Claude joined the Navy at the tail end of WWII. He served for a total of two years before returning to civilian life. There was never anything that was more near and dear to Claude’s heart than his loved ones. As a young man he was married, and through that marriage he was blessed with four children, Claude, Laura, Harvey, and Carol Diane who passed away during infancy as a result of crib death. Later, Claude married Mary Etta Warfield Jones, and through that marriage he gained five daughters including Helen, Rosetta, Teri, Sherry, and April. Two years later, they were in for the surprise of a lifetime as they found out that Mary Etta was pregnant. She later gave birth to another girl, Mary Anne. Sadly, Mary Etta passed away in 1995. Claude did find love again, and it was with someone he had known for some time. Claude and Mary Etta had been walking at the mall with Delores Keagle and her husband for a while. After Delores lost her husband, Claude and Deloris began to get to know one another. In time they fell in love and were married when Claude was 70 years old. They enjoyed their sunset years together, traveling to California as well as Branson. Throughout his life Claude was a deeply devoted family man. He took his role as provider to heart. During the 1960s he worked building homes for Smiley Way, but the bulk of his career was spent with Goodyear. After retiring from Goodyear after 25 years, Claude worked for General Packaging. He later retired from there as well. It was commonplace for Claude to work all day and then still come home to help his wife with the dishes. There were so many things to love about Claude. He had several sayings such as, “Whatever,” “As far as that goes,” and, “That’s the breaks, Kiddo.” Claude was very short, but he was strong, and he enjoyed working out. He was always up on politics, and he liked both euchre and checkers. For years Claude enjoyed bowling, and he enjoyed spending time outside playing backyard games like badminton, catch, and just being together with the family. He was great at ping pong as well. Claude never met a food he didn’t like, at least as long as it wasn’t peanut butter as that was the one food he refused to eat. When he wasn’t busy doing something, he liked watching old westerns and the news. With unending love for his family and friends, Claude File, Jr. was a blessing to all who knew him. A longtime resident of the community he loved, he was the sort of person everyone seemed to know. A loving husband and father, Claude was so proud to witness his family tree blossom to include so many branches of loved ones he adored. Although he will be deeply missed, he will never be forgotten. Claude File Jr, age 92, of Jackson, Michigan, passed away on November 16, 2020, Claude is survived by his children: Claude File, Laura File, Harvey (Tafey) File, Teri Clark, Sherry Williams, April Snow and Mary Anne (Henry) Reilly; 20 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; 18 great great-grandchildren well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his second wife Mary Etta and his third wife Dolores; his children: Helen Cleeves and Rosetta Warfield Martin; his brother Ron File; 3 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Due to the current Covid 19 restrictions, a private memorial is being planned. While visiting Claude’s webpage at www.mccowensecord.com please sign the guestbook by lighting a candle, and/or sharing a memory with the family. Memorial contributions can be made to The American Cancer Society.