Claude Wayne Allbright

Claude Wayne Allbright, 83, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Thursday, August 22, 2013, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. Claude was born June 28, 1930, near Anselmo, Nebraska in the Keota Community, to Alpha Morgan and Violet May (Deal) Allbright. Keota is where Claude attended school for 8 years. In 1943, the family moved to a place east of Broken Bow. Claude finished the 8th grade there at the Dutchman Valley School. Claude joined the U.S. Navy in October of 1947. He received his training at R/SUSNS, San Diego, California. After a brief leave at home he was sent to Guam where he participated in the following action with the United Nations Forces in the Korean area from July 1950 to December 1950. He participated in shore bombardments on the East Coast of Korea, in providing anti-submarine protection for cruisers, battleships, and aircraft carriers; in rescuing a downed Navy Pilot, in delivering ammunition and gasoline to United Nations ground forces in Korea. He received his discharge on October 24, 1951. On May 23, 1953, he married Audrey Jean Holcomb at the First Presbyterian Church in Broken Bow, Nebraska. They began their married life farming in the Broken Bow area. In 1958, they moved to Kearney, Claude began a new career in carpentry and cement finishing up to his retirement in 1992. The family had located to Lexington in 1968, where he lived until his death. In April of 1999, the Nebraska Department of Education announced a joint project with the Nebraska Department of Veteran affairs. This project was called Operation Recognition. The objective of Operation Recognition was to present a high school diploma to honorably discharged WW II veterans. Who for whatever personal reasons, did not return to school following the war and complete their education. On November 12, 2001, Broken Bow Public Schools recognized Claude Allbright as a recipient of a Broken Bow High School Diploma. Claude enjoyed hunting, fishing and being outdoors, camping and spending time with family. Survivors include his wife Audrey of Lexington; two sons, Robert Allbright of Cozad, Nebraska; Richard (Tammy) Allbright of Cozad, Nebraska; three daughters, twins; Bonnie Allbright of Omaha, Nebraska; Barbara Allbright of Kearney, Nebraska; Cindy (Dan) Bussiere of Marquette, Michigan; one sister, Dona (Norman) Daharsh of Eugene, Oregon; 11 grandchildren; Eric, Douglas, Matt, Nathan, Christopher, Robert, Jr.,Karen, Callie, Emily, Andrea and David; one great-grandson, Aiden. Claude was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Marcella & Mary Katherine and one brother, Charles. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, August 29, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel with Reverend Caroline Vickery officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 28, 2013, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home. Burial with Military Honors will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Broken Bow Cemetery at Broken Bow. Memorials are suggested to The Wounded Warrior Project: P.O Box 758517 Topeka, KS, 66675. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please forward online condolences to the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com