Mr. Claude Wilgus Mehaffey

Mehaffey (Coburn), Claude Wilgus “Gus”, passed away peacefully on 8/6/13. He was born Oct, 24th, 1928 to Mary Lulu (Marie) Coburn and Ulis Claude Colburn. He graduated from Western Hills HS in 1947 and attended Eastern Kentucky State Teacher College and the University of Cincinnati. He was a Dale Carnegie Graduate, Instructor, International Officer, President of the Alumni Assoc and a Life member. He took the Dale Carnegie Philosophy to heart and used the teaching in every aspect of his life, especially in his sales career. He began his career as a shoe salesman between high school and college. He went on to manage various shoe stores KY and WVA from 1954. On September 10, 1955 he married the love of his life Virginia Lee Ruth Pleiter and they would have celebrated 58 wonderful years of marriage in September. In the early 60’s,he took a position in KS with the 3M Company and later Eli Walker& Co. who awarded him the President Award for sales Excellents in 1970. Tired of the company transfers he relocated his family to FL in the early 70’s, where his beloved sister Margaret Jean was residing in Orlando, Florida. From there he had success in the Life Ins and Annuity market as well as his real estate investments. He ended his working career as District Regional Sales Manager for Scholastic Publishing Co, with a much deserved retirement. He was preceded in death by his father and his stepfather John R Mehaffey, his mother, Marie and his beloved sister Margret Jean Wheeler Blakley. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of almost 58 years, Virginia Lee Ruth Pleiter Mehaffey, his daughters; Marla (John) L Bruhn, Tallahassee, FL; Jana L Bridges, Fort Pierce, FL; and Dana (Scott) L Clark, Orlando, FL his most cherished Niece Arvada Davis Orlando FL; 6 grandchildren; Matthew, Bennett, Autumn, Steven, Michael and Morgan and 2 great grandchildren, Felix and RJ, and many others cousins, nieces and nephews. Mr. Mehaffey was a motivating, captivating and affectionate man. He loved God and enjoyed sharing about his faith and all of the miracles that took place in his lifetime. He served as a steadfast moral compass for his children and grandchildren. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. A memorial service is planned Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 2pm at Church United, 2270 Sandlake Road, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714. Arrangements are entrusted to DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory, 9001 N. Orlando Avenue, Maitland, Florida 32751. (407) 695-CARE(2273).

Mr. Claude Wilgus Mehaffey

October 24, 1928 - August 6, 2013