Albany Herald

ALBANY -- Mr. Claude E. Surface, Sr., 92 of Albany died on March 9th, 2013. His funeral service will be Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 2:00 PM at the Liberty Parkway Church of God with interment to follow at Riverside Cemetery with full military honors. The Rev. Ralph Horne will officiate. The family will receive friends at Kimbrell-Stern on Tuesday (Today) from 6-8 PM.

A native of Harveyville, Kansas, Mr. Surface first moved to Albany in 1941.

Mr. Surface lived a life of service, first serving in the Civilian Conservation Corps in California before enlisting in the Army Air Corps at the age of 20.

Trained as a Flight Engineer on a B-29 bomber, Mr. Surface flew 35 missions over the Japanese Empire in World War II, earning several commendations and medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross on July 27, 1945. He was awarded a battlefield commission from flight engineer to flight officer.

After retiring from the Air Force as 2nd Lieutenant in 1963, he began a second career in civil service and retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1985.

Mr. Surface was a member of Liberty Parkway Church of God for 62 years and is survived by his wife of 70 years Louise Letchworth Surface; sister Josephine Surface Koontz of Spring Hill, Kansas; son Claude E. Surface, Jr., wife Paige, of Loganville, GA; daughter Marilyn Surface Bradley, husband Charles of Cartersville, GA; son George Surface of Fayetteville, GA; daughter Susan Surface Rogers of Albany. Mr. Surface was preceded in death by son Steven Surface of Albany.

Mr. Surface is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors

Albany 229/883-4152