CLAUDE MORRIS Was born on February 7, 1919 in Pryor Creek, Oklahoma to Claude and Mary McCausland. The McCausland family moved to Dexter, New Mexico in 1921 where Claude grew up and graduated from Dexter High School in 1937. After graduation he attended college at Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM and graduated in 1941 with a degree in Industrial Arts. In December of 1939, Claude married his loving wife of 72 years, Clelia "Kay" Balzano, who grew up in Maxwell, NM, and also attended Highlands University. After graduating together in August of 1941, Claude and Kay moved to Carlsbad, NM, where he taught Industrial Arts at Carlsbad High School. In 1942 having learned to fly while in college and wanting to pursue his love of flying, Claude resigned his teaching position and opened an airport in the Carlsbad area. He began his aviation career at Riverside Airport and some time later opened and airport closer to a town called Tracy Field. After a year operating Tracy Field, he went into the Army where he served from 1944 until World War II ended in 1946. Following his discharge, he resumed airport operations at the disbanded Army Airbase in Carlsbad which became the city's full service municipal airport now called the Cavern City Air Terminal. In 1947, the McCauslands obtained the first airport-located Hertz car rental franchise in the country and later added Hertz car rental operations in both Roswell and Ruidoso, NM. Through several decades he continuously operated the airport and car rental businesses which included Cessna and Piper Aircraft dealerships until his retirement in 1994. After a few years of retirement in Carlsbad, Claude and Kay moved to Albuquerque to be closer to their family. In 1956, Claude was appointed by the Civil Aeronautics Administration as the Flight Examiner for New Mexico and West Texas. He held the flight examiner designation for 28 years. In 1960, he served as President of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and had served several years, before and after, on the Chamber Board. In 1963, New Mexico Governor Jack Campbell appointed Claude to the newly created State Aviation Board. He was reappointed by each successive governor for the next twenty years where he served continuously as Chairman of the Aviation Board. In 1969, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Bank of Carlsbad where he served for many years. Claude was a member of St. Edward's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club, Elks Club, Riverside Country Club and Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. In addition to wife Kay, survivors are son Edward "Buddy" and wife Jeanie; daughters, J.D. "Darleen" and husband Charles Wellborn, Joan and husband Jim Branch; son, Mark and wife Susan; five grandchildren, Westly Wellborn, Damon McCausland and wife Deidre, Kerry and husband Randy Phillips, Tracy and Douglas McCausland. Also surviving are three great-grandchildren; Madison and Taylor Phillips, and Maiti Quinn McCausland. He is also survived by sisters, Margaret Williams and Lola Riley; brother, William McCausland along with many nieces and nephews. Claude was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Hattie Long and Doshe Hegel; and grandson, Matthew McCausland. Rosary will be recited at Risen Savior Catholic Church; 7707 Wyoming Blvd., NE on Monday, January 2, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will also be conducted at Risen Savior Catholic Church on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 12:45 p.m.. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Edward's School Tuition Fund in care of the Carlsbad Community Foundation, Carlsbad, NM 88220. To view information or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com Claude's care entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87109 505-821-0010
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