Claude A. Marlowe, Jr., passed away on Saturday, September 16, 2017, in Johson City. He was born on February 8, 1940 in Pittsburgh; however, he grew up in Wilkinsburgh, PA and graduated from Wilkinsburgh High School in 1957. After graduation he attended Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA on a full Alcoa Scholarship, graduating in 1962. He went to work for Alcoa until moving to Kingsport to work as Manager of Market Research for ASG (American Saint Gobain) Glass Company in the corporate office on Lincoln Street.
Before coming to Kingsport he was very active in DeMolay in PA. In Kingsport he continued to be active in DeMolay (which is sponsored by the Masonic Lodge for boys from the ages of 13 to 20). He became the Northeast Governor of Tennessee and continued to work in this position until his marriage to his wife, Patsy Lee Gillenwater, in June, 1976. In July of 1976 he resigned this position to spend more time with his family.
In 1979 he changed his line of work to become an agent with Life and Casualty Insurance Company, which later became a part of American General Life Insurance Company, known today as AIG. He became well known in the area, as well as the state, for selling the first policy with the company for 1M dollars, which won he and his wife a trip to Greece!
Claude's clients affectionately referred to him as their "Baldheaded Insurance Man." Claude retired from AIG in 2013 after 34 years of service.
Claude became an active member of the Rotary Club in Kingsport in 1980 and was a member until his health started to decline. While in Rotary, Claude was named a Paul Harris Fellow and later bestowed the honor of a Paul Harris Fellow on his wife, Patsy.
He was a member of Mafair United Methodist Church from 1979 until his death.
The family will receive friends on Thursday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Mafair United Methodist Church. The service will be conducted at 1:00 pm with Rev. Amy Probst officiating. Burial will follow in East Lawn Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Brian Bennett, David Crawford, Lewis Foreman, Pete Holler, Wade Canipe, Patrick Kus, David Odum, Larry Smith, Jim Watkins and Duffy Wigle.
Cemetery Details
East Lawn Memorial Park
4997 Memorial Blvd.
Kingsport, TN, 37664
Visitation
SEP 21. 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Mafair United Methodist Church
1409 East Center Street
Kingsport, TN, US
Funeral Service
SEP 21. 1:00 PM
Mafair United Methodist Church
1409 East Center Street
Kingsport, TN, US
Burial
SEP 21
East Lawn Memorial Park
4997 Memorial Blvd.
Kingsport, TN, US, 37664