Claude Aaron Sr.

SANDUSKY — Claude Aaron Sr., 91, of Sandusky, slipped away to be with the Lord Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018.He was born Jan. 29, 1927, in Waynesboro, Miss. He accepted Christ at an early age. He was a charter member of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, serving in many ministries: trustee, usher ministry, Sunday School bus driver. Claude loved reading and discussing the word of God. He would go daily to Sandusky Bay to sit on the waterfront, read the Bible, and to talk with people concerning the word of God. He also loved to tell people how well he kept his black Lincoln Continental.He served his country in the U.S. Army in World War II, as a Corporal T5 in the 76-1st Tank Battalion in both Germany and Japan.Claude worked at Farrell-Cheek Steel for 35 years and retired from Chrysler Plastics after working for 10 years. Claude was a Master Mason. He served in the Sandusky community as one of the first certified baseball and basketball umpires and coaches. He was a transport rehab volunteer at Providence Hospital for 10 years.Along with his dear friend, the late Charles Shoemo, he organized a sick visitation committee, visiting the sick every Saturday at area hospitals and nursing homes. Along with Joe Shine and Isaac Brown, he opened the Local 393 UAW Hall on Fridays to keep youth safe and off Sandusky streets after sporting events. He served as a trustee for Local 393 for many years. Together, Claude, Joe Shine, and Isaac Brown organized The Faithful Sons, and the three invested stock in Cedar Point, the Harlem Globetrotters, and the Cleveland Browns. The Faithful Sons brought to Sandusky the Staple Singers, who later became famous.He is considered the Moses of the Aaron family. He was the first to journey to Sandusky, returning every fourth of July to bring people from Mississippi to Ohio to work at Farrell-Cheek and Diamond Fertilizer Co., in order to better themselves.Claude was united in holy matrimony to the late Bertha Mae Aaron, and celebrated 45 years of marriage until death separated them. They were blessed with 13 children, seven daughters and six sons, Minister Marietta (Norman) Johnson, Terry Allen Aaron, Claude (Ann) Aaron, Linda Palmer, Larry (Mary) Aaron, Craig (Deanna) Aaron, Carolyn (Lemon) Jones, Joyce Crosby, and Angela Aaron-Gray, all of Sandusky, Elaine (Glenn) Shumate of Cleveland, Marc Aaron of Nashville, Stacey (Myron) Abrams of Chicago, and Keith Aaron; sister, Alice Ashburn; five brothers, Danny (Brunell) Aaron Sr., Edward (Willie) Aaron, Ronnie Aaron, Levon Nicholson, and George Evans; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.In addition to his loving wife, Bertha Mae Aaron, he was preceded in death by his parents, Dave Aaron and Marietta Aaron Smith; brothers, Eulas Aaron and Dave "Deek" Aaron; sister-in-law, Clara Aaron; brothers, C.B. Aaron and James "Boo Lock" Aaron; sister-in-law, Mattie Aaron; nephew, Aaron Michael Richardson; mother, Mary Lee Aaron; sister, Susietta Williams; and brother-in-law, Eugene Williams.The family will receive guests 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25, in Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26, in New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, 1920 Eddy Henry Way, Sandusky. The Rev. Dr. Scottie Aaron will officiate and Rev. Curtis L. Johnson Jr., will eulogize. Burial, with military honors by the Marines Corps Forever Honor and Color Guard, will follow in Perkins Cemetery.The family would like to give special thanks to Tracey Huston, of Brighter Light Health Care, Inc., and Stein Hospice.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Claude's name to the church.Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting toftfuneralhome.com.