Claude Prentiss Pegue

Claude Prentiss Pegue, 82, received his long awaited retirement on January 18, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born on June 15, 1942 in Ashdown, Arkansas as the eldest of five boys, and four girls to Willie Prentiss Pegue and Elouise Hawkins-Pegue.

Claude received his high school education from Little River County Training School (LRCTS), graduating in 1960. After graduation, Claude quickly left Arkansas making his way to Kansas City, Missouri where he worked on the J-line as a production lineman at Owens Corning Fiberglass. He was eventually promoted within the organization becoming the first African American tallyman within the company. He continued to develop his experience as a lineman working in multiple sectors of various industries including his time at Wonder Bread, and Mobay Chemical Company (Bayer Pharmaceuticals) where he worked as a chemical operator, retiring in 1990. 

 Claude Pegue was a man of various talents and interests, as a young man while in Arkansas he was a gospel singer and a member of the traveling gospel male group, The Spiritual Harmonizers. He had a love for carpentry and gardening, in which he worked as a self-employed contractor on various projects throughout Kansas City. In his down time, Claude loved a good card game, dominoes, pool, and other recreational activities.

More importantly, Claude was a believer of Christ. In 1991, Claude became a member of Palestine Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ where he fellowshipped with many of his extended family members. He later joined St. Peters A.M.E. Zion, under the pastoral guidance of his brother Kenneth Pegue. He finally settled at Christ Tabernacle over a decade prior to his passing.

Claude occupied many roles in his life in which he was the father of six children, Delsie Lee Graves-Gulley; Donald Maurice Raines; Jeffery Bernard Taylor; Ivy Lynette Forbes; and Michelle Rene’ Bell. Later on in his life Claude Pegue became a husband, marrying Michelle Renee Moore-Pegue in Kansas City, Missouri. From this union Shamika Renee Pegue-Seymer was born. This year they would have celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary. He was also a loving brother to Kenneth Ray and James Earl “Peter” Pegue, at times assuming the role of father in their lives when it was needed most. He was an uncle, a brother-in-law, a grandfather, a great friend, and a listening ear.

Claude will be greatly missed. However his legacy will live on through those who loved him most.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Willie and Elouise Pegue, and his brother James Earl “Peter” Pegue. Claude Pegue leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, children, grandchildren, brother, other immediate and extended family, and a host of close friends. 

A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 01, 2025 at Golden Gate Funeral & Cremation Services, LLC 2800 E. 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64127. The Visitation will begin at 10:00am, the service will follow at 11:00am.