Claud Everette Harrold

Claud Everette Harrold, 92, of Albany, GA passed away Sunday, April 26, 2026 at The Oaks Assisted Living in Leesburg, GA. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Mathews Funeral Home at 3:00 p.m. Entombment will follow at Crown Hill Mausoleum with military honors. Deacon Bill Gorman will officiate.

Claud Everette Harrold, Sr. was born in Wilkes County, NC on June 21,1933. Claud was an identical twin to Clyde Albert Harrold, and there were so many stories of the capers those two pulled off. Claud married Edythe Ellen Poovey in Granite Falls on December 4th,1950. Edythe followed him around the country and world during his Air Force career, which he proudly served for 33 years. Claud worked for what was known as C & S Bank for his second career, starting as a collector and working his way to Vice President by the time he retired (then Bank of America). During this time he was a member of the Civitans Club of Albany and we all knew we would eat Fruit Cake during Christmas!

Claud proudly served as a Deacon in the Church and later served as an Elder at Dawson Road Church of Christ. It was a well-known fact he loved the Lord and served the Church proudly. He said one of his best moments was performing his Granddaughter Lori’s wedding, and he talked often of the occasion over the years. Claud had a love for flying and obtained his Fixed Wing Aircraft Pilot’s license, while he managed the Aeroclub part time stationed at Turner Air Force base in Albany, GA. Later in his career he earned his Helicopter license.

Survivors include,1 brother J. Wade Harrold, 3 children: daughter Dianne Gorman (Bill), sons Claud E. Harrold, Jr, and Robert E. Harrold (Susan). Claud E. Harrold, Sr. (better known as Papaw) was blessed with 9 grandchildren, Dianne’s children - Annie, Paula, Lori, Keri, Sean, Claud , Jr’s children – Michael and Kelsey, and Robert’s children – Brian and Nina. Claud , Sr. also had 21 great grandchildren: Dianne’s grandchildren-Sebastian, Drake, Bella, Phoenix, Graham, Amelia, Oliver, Loghan, Abigail, Addison, Allie, Anniston, Erin, Kinley, Colton, Rylee, Patrick and Avery (born the day after his death) and Claud, Jr’s grandchildren Grayson, Elijah and Olivia.

Claud was preceded in death by his wife, Edythe Harrold of 74 years, his father Evy Sylvester Harrold and mother Lillie Clementine Harrold, 4 brothers, John, Gene, Dean, and his twin Clyde Harrold, 1 sister Hazel Harrold Palmer, and daughter in law, Cindy Harrold.

Claud E. Harrold, Sr, will be missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace Chief Master Sgt Harrold USAF, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until the funeral hour at Mathews Funeral Home.