Claude William Foreman
Claude William (Hopper) Foreman, 63, of Flatwoods, Kentucky passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Kentucky after bravely facing prostate cancer. Claude was born July 30, 1956 in Niagara Falls, New York. He was preceeded in death by his father, the late Bill Foreman and sister, Christine Foreman of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
He is survived by his loving wife of 22 years of marriage, Sylvia Lynn (Dillow) Foreman, Flatwoods, Kentucky.
Also surviving are his mother, Shirley Gladys Foreman of St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada. Two sisters, Debbie (Herby) Thorne of Hastings, Ontario, Canada, Brenda Foreman (Rick Vance) of St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada; two Brothers, Ricky (Liz) Foreman, Chipawa, Ontario, Canada, Jay (Sue) Foreman of Ridgeway, Ontario, Canada.
In-Laws, Phyllis Salyers, South Point, Ohio, Garnet and David Bussell, Greenup, Kentucky., Molly and Rick Grubbs, Douglasville, Georgia, Joe and Marsha Dillow, Catlettsburg, Kentucky, Ken Dillow, Flatwoods, Kentucky, Carl Dillow, Ironton, Ohio, Edna Dillow, Coal Grove, Ohio, Julie Dillow, Summit, Kentucky.
Also many nieces, nephews in both Canada, Ohio, and Kentucky.
Claude was a member of the Advance Methodist Church in Flatwoods, Kentucky. It was not unusual for Claude to discuss the bible and his belief in God with those that knew him.
He had a love for the state of Florida from childhood and eventually met his wife, Sylvia there. Claude made Florida his home for over twenty years. While in Florida, Claude spent years building yachts. He and his good friend, Dave Parks sailed a yacht to Mexico. He often talked of his adventures on those trips with Dave. Claude loved to travel and especially loved to go on cruises with Sylvia, family and friends, Mike and Donna Sommeling.
As a young adult, Claude performed as the lead singer in a rock band in Niagara Falls, Canada with John Castleton and maintained his love for music all his life. He really enjoyed karaoke and could sound just like the Bee Gees and other singers.
Claude's avid love for Bingo lead him to become a bingo caller in Bay Indies Retirement Community in Venice, Florida and he played Bingo for years in Kentucky. His sister-in-law, Edna Dillow, was his Bingo buddy. When he was on a winning streak, it was amazing how many times he could be a winner in succession. More important was the fact that he was a good loser too.
For more than ten years, Claude was an employee of the two area WalMart stores. He developed many close and loving relationships with many of the associates. He was especially close to Lisa Young (Lips). He put his heart into his work and tried to treat everyone with concern for their well-being.
Claude was a natural born salesman. He was a wheeler dealer at the flea markets. Claude had an eye for antiques, bargains and the unusual. He once bought a ceramic death mask of Buster Keaton. Being a generous person, Claude enjoyed buying for himself and others. It gave him and Sylvia pleasure to give toys to children and bargains to those in need of one, which meant gifting items that were for sale rather than selling them. Claude and Sylvia's booth was always an active location at the flea market and many people looked for him when they were in the market for a deal. He and Sylvia developed many friendships there over the years. He will be missed when the flea markets begin again.
Claude never met a stranger. He was the life of every party, always ready to get everyone laughing. He truly enjoyed his family and friends. Claude often talked of his friends in Canada and Florida, Rick Bell, Donna Pitts, Ethel and Clare, Vicky and Mike, Carol Gold, and longtime friends, Kim and Jay Tumblin. Even little children loved and called him Uncle Claude. Brody was his little buddy and wanted to wear a hat and shades just like his great, great Uncle Claude.
Claude loved his dogs, Budda, Chi Chi, Chickamonga, Precious and his bird (Piggy) and treated them like family members. He and Sylvia have helped out at a number of animal rescues in Venice, Florida and the Ashland area.
A memorial service will be held at 6:00 pm on Thursday July 30, 2020 at Reed Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until service time. Condolences may be made at rlrfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, Sylvia requests that a donation be made to the animal rescue Tri-State K9 Lifeline to give a donation go to PayPal. Use tristatek9lifeline@gmail.com to enter your donation.
