Claude Stacey

Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Claude Stacey, was called back to his Heavenly Father on December 22nd, 2023. Claude passed quickly away at home in Idaho Falls surrounded by his loving wife, Margaret, all his daughters and sons-in-law, and numerous grandchildren & great-grandchildren.

Claude was born in Portland, Oregon on April 8th, 1939, to Richard Harold Wilkinson Stacey of Liverpool, England and Clara Norene (Clark) Stacey of Niwot, Boulder County, Colorado.

During Claude’s youth, he lived throughout Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. The family settled in Bakersfield, California which was his primary place of youth and education. In 1958, Claude graduated from North High School, where he played football and spent three years as a tight end due to his speed. After high school, he joined the army and was in the 82nd Airborne – Special Forces. He spent four years in the army and achieved the rank of Sargent. While in the army, his parachuting team traveled to Central and South America to demonstrate their jumping skills and build public relationships. The men he served with kept in touch and met several times throughout the years.

After the army, Claude started his higher education in Reno, Nevada studying civil engineering. But after the first year, he transferred to Bakersfield, where he received a Bachelor of Science in the field of Chemistry.

In 1963, Claude met Margaret Ann Coodey; during their courtship, they purchased a home and enjoyed decorating and outfitting it with secondhand furniture and appliances. On August 31st of that same year, they were married in Las Vegas, Nevada.

During and after college he worked at BC Laboratories in Bakersfield (1965-1976), Sandvik Special Metals in Kennewick, Washington (1976-1990), and retired from Bechtel in Richland, Washington (1990-2004).

Claude enjoyed camping and traveling throughout every 48 states in the lower United States, Canada, and United Kingdom. He spent many weekends taking his daughters all over California and the Pacific Northwest. As the only man in the family of women, he patiently took them to museums, shopping, restaurants, and craft fairs. Dad enjoyed an occasional game of golf; recently playing 18 holes with his daughter and grandsons at Stoneridge Resort in Blanchard, Idaho – a place the family has gone to every year since 1980.

Claude is survived by his wife of 60 years, Margaret Ann Coodey Stacey; his three daughters Kathleen Ann (Burke) Neuman of West Richland, Washington; Debra Ranae (Michael) House of Richmond, Utah, and Sharlene Marie (Kevin) Ockerman of Idaho Falls, Idaho and seventeen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Three siblings: Robert (and Diane) Stacey, Alice (and Gary) Michrovick, and Richard (and Judith) Stacey. He is preceded in death by both his parents, infant brother Gary Stacey, and infant grandson Christopher Clark Craig.

He was a great dad and a man of many talents. A warrior to his family – he was a constant and helpful guide. He was appreciated and will be missed and loved by all his family and friends.

Memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at the Idaho Falls 21st Ward, 1155 First Street, Idaho Falls. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com.