Claude Allen Muse

Claude Allen Muse was born June 8, 1934, in Mountain Grove, Missouri to John and Lora Muse. His early days were spent with his sisters, Bonnie, Betty Jo, Carol, and Annie, tending to the cow or selling seedlings for a penny to the neighbor. Claude was destined for salesmanship. By 1940, the Dust Bowl forced his family to venture west to Highway City, California. His father proclaimed, “You can’t farm rocks!”

At 9 years old, Claude began working at a local grocery store near Fresno. There he would chip ice and stock shelves until he joined the Navy at 17 years old. He was grateful that the shop owners had prepared him for life’s adventures, such as which fork to use at a dinner function. After basic military training, Claude was stationed on the USS Rupertus, manning the engine room. He was honorably discharged, and returned to his roots working at a San Francisco department store. It was here he would meet the love of his life, Leah Beth Seedall, in 1961.

Claude and Leah Beth married on March 31, 1962, in Idaho Falls. During this time, Claude was cast in the choir of Fresno State University’s production of Bye, Bye Birdie. He adored being onstage, but life had a new role for Claude: dad. They quickly grew into a family of four, welcoming sons Derek Loren in 1963 and Jay Allen in 1964.

Claude rejoined the military managing commissaries and BXs across 13 states. Known for his stern yet personable leadership style, he took pride in supporting his staff and rewarding those who were hardworking and honest. Over the years, the family moved from Paso Robles, California to Austin, Texas, to Utica-Rome, New York. In 1987, Claude and Leah Beth took their military journey overseas to Thailand. Thai food became one of Claude's favorites; he’d love to surprise the staff and say “kap kun krap” (“thank you” in Thai) after his meal. However, if given the choice, he’d always go for meat and potatoes…or maybe just meat with more meat.Claude retired from the military in 1993, and the two settled back into their Paso Robles cottage. It was here that truly felt like home. From watching the deer pass by every morning to hosting his four grandchildren for annual visits, this home’s memories had a big piece of Claude’s heart.

In 2011, they reluctantly sold their Paso Robles property to be closer to family in Salt Lake City. Despite leaving the familiar beauty of the central coast, he loved that they now had a swimming pool for his grandkids. He would oftentimes sit, watch, and wait for the impending laughter as they played, always with the biggest smile on his face.

When not with family, Claude could be found watching a war documentary, reading a historical book, or compiling a history of his own lineage. In 2013, he and his sons traveled to England to visit his ancestors’ home. Despite it being sold out of the Muse name in the 1980s, the current residents invited them in for tea and biscuits after hearing about their journey. Touring this piece of his family’s heritage was a highlight of Claude’s life.

Claude was always on an adventure. From serving in the military to searching for a short cutthrough town, he led the way (even if it meant taking an unintentional 20-minute detour). His ability to map out a new place in a relatively short amount of time was a natural talent, which he accredited to being related to wilderness explorer, Kit Carson. Whatever Claude’s destination, it seemed to invariably lead him back to his family, who were of utmost importance to him.

Holding the hands of his loved ones, Claude Allen Muse passed away on November 21, 2024,in Salt Lake City, Utah at 90 years old. He will be forever missed, but his family knows he is now on his next big adventure into the great unknown. 

He is survived by his wife Leah Beth, sons Derek (Jenifer) and Jay (Shana), grandchildren Chloe, Aren (Thad), Abbey, and Anna, and sister Annie (Stanley) Shamp. 

As he would always say, “how’s the good life?”