Claude Osha Gilstrap

GILSTRAP, CLAUDE OSHA Claude Osha Gilstrap, age 86 of Woodway passed away Wednesday, September 3, 2003 at a local hospital. A private family service was held Thursday, September 4 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Claude Gilstrap was born in Batson, Texas on April 7, 1917 to Claude Dorsey and Lydia Jane Gilstrap. He grew up in the Kilgore/Longview area of East Texas and was an accomplished pilot as a young man. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941 at the outbreak of World War II. During the war he served in the European Theater including the Normandy Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. He was decorated with two bronze stars and a purple heart. Claude returned home after the war and married Maudie Syble Walden of Kilgore, Texas. He and his bride resided in several areas of Texas and settled in Waco in 1954. Mr. Gilstrap established a retail auto sales business that he operated until his retirement in 1979. C. O. was an avid fisherman and hunter and loved spending time with his family. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be missed and loved by all who knew him. Claude was preceded in death by parents; Claude and Lydia Gilstrap, brothers; Howard, Dan and Clarence Gilstrap, sisters; Helen Jones, Margie Schauer and Eva Trantham, and one granddaughter; Regina Gilstrap Newton. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years; Maudie Walden Gilstrap, son; Claude Gene Gilstrap, daughter and son-in-law; Shirley and Donnie Tidmore, all from Waco. Mr. Gilstrap will be lovingly remembered by all his family and friends including his 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. The Gilstrap/Tidmore Family wish to express the deepest gratitude for the wonderful care of their loved one, Claude Gilstrap, during his lengthy illness. A sincere thank you to Dr. Dhoma and the entire Veteran’s Administration Hospital and staff in Waco, for their gentle and loving care given over the years. A special thank you to Dr. Gugulski and his associates at Scott and White, Fish Pond for their diligent and heart felt care. A loving thank you to Providence Hospice for their continuous support and constant love and guidance for the family. And a very special thank you to the “angels” that walk the floors at Providence Medical Center. The professionalism and nurturing of the nurses and complete support staff on 3rd floor Providence will never be forgotten. Memorials may be made to Texas Christian Academy, 4600 Sanger Ave., Waco, TX 76710 or Providence Hospice, 4830 Lakewood Dr., Ste. 5, Waco, TX 76710. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY