Claude Hunter Davis Jr. ’45

Claude Davis died March 24, 2004.

He entered Princeton from Andover and joined Quadrangle Club. He received a degree in economics magna cum laude in 1945. Claude was in the Navy V-12 Program in 1943 but was discharged before entering active service. In 1948 he received a law degree from the University of Illinois, married the former Marguerite Hoffman, and joined a law firm in Jerseyville, Ill.

From 1984-90 Claude served as a circuit court judge and reported that he found the bench most enjoyable. Claude was a founding member of the Westlake Country Club in Jerseyville. A longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church, he served many terms as elder, trustee, and deacon, and was a 1971 delegate to the United Presbyterian General Assembly.

In our 50th yearbook Claude reported that he returned to his former law firm, finally retiring in 1993. Claude and Marguerite wintered on South Padre Island, Texas, permitting him to golf year-round, although, as he put it, without notable success. For many years he returned to Andover as a member of the Alumni Advisory Board.

In addition to Marguerite, Claude is survived by daughters Susan Blevins and Priscilla Rains, sons Claude and John, 11 grandchildren, and one great-grandson. The class expresses sympathy to the family.

The Class of 1945