Claude E. Barron, 83, died Monday, June 19, 2006 after an almost 3 year battle with cancer. A man of great character & firm convictions, he lived an honorable and interesting life of integrity & honesty. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joy Cook Barron, their two sons and their families: Captain Claude Barron (USN, retired), his wife, Sandy, and their three sons: Cadet Claude Barron IV (U. S. Military Academy), Patrick and Alexander, of Annandale, Virginia; William Cook (Bill) Barron (VP, VECO Alaska), his wife, Jan, and their two sons, William (BJ) and David (both Eagle Scouts) of Eagle River, Alaska. His niece, Cora J. Cook of Atlanta, Georgia also survives him. Born in Clarkesville, Georgia, August 8, 1922, to Claude E. and Ruby McEver Barron, Claude and his twin sister, Carolyn were orphaned at age nine. Raised by relatives and in boarding schools, he graduated from Blue Ridge School for Boys class of 1942 in Henderson, North Carolina, where he was an excellent football player with collegiate prospects. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in June 1942, and was in the original group of paratroopers who trained in Toccoa, Georgia, as a member of the 101st Airborne Division, 2nd Battalion, 506 Regiment, Headquarter Company (Company E of this same Regiment was featured in the book and film, Band of Brothers ). He sustained a serious wound to his left hand on his fifth and qualifying jump. With characteristic determination he overcame the handicap to return to his Regiment for combat duty in Europe. He made two combat parachute jumps, at Normandy, June 6, 1944, where he earned a Purple Heart, and in Holland, September 17, 1944. He was hospitalized in October, 1944, and evacuated to the States to serve as a Jump Master in the Parachute School at Ft. Benning, Georgia, preparing troops for the expected invasion of Japan. After the end of World War II in August, 1945, he was discharged in November, 1945. His awards include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachute Wings, European Theater of Operations with two bronze stars, Good Conduct Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to the 101 PIR for services during the Normandy assault. Graveside Services and Interment will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast.