Claude B. Langford passed away peacefully with his family at his side on November 16, 2021. He was 88 and a Fort Wayne, IN resident for more than six decades.

Claude was the loving husband of his wife, Doris, and the two were planning to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary in January. In addition to Doris, he is survived by four children, Scott (Sue), Ryan, Drew, and Claudia; and eight grandchildren; Michelle Adams, Alex and Trey Spencer (Langford), Evan and Jillian Langford, Alicia and Bryce Kord, and Matthew Langford; and brother, Ken.  He was preceded in death by brothers, Bill and David; and grandson Logan Langford in 2006.

He was born on Aug. 17, 1933 in Oil City, PA, and graduated from Cranberry High School in Seneca, PA in 1951. He married Doris in January 1952.

Claude served in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Germany from 1953-55. Upon his return, he moved to Fort Wayne and began a job at Joslyn Stainless Steel Co. He retired from the company after 40 years.

He was an avid sports enthusiast, and for more than 20 years he coached youth baseball in the Pony League, Hargan League, Little League and Senior Little League. He coached basketball in the PAL and Upward programs for 11 years.

In 1972, his Southside Optimists team won the Pony League City Championship, and his Aldersgate Senior Little League team earned a league championship in 1982.

Visitation for Claude is 10:00am - 12:00pm Saturday, Nov. 20 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 2417 Getz Road in Fort Wayne. Claude and Doris have been members of Aldersgate for more than 50 years. A funeral will follow at 12:00pm., with a military burial afterward at Covington Memorial Gardens.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Claude's name to Aldersgate UMC.