Claude Annen, 63, of Nazareth, passed away Saturday, July 7, 2012 , at his home. Claude was born October 24, 1948 in Dimmitt. He was the only son of Cecelia Huseman Annen and Raymond Annen. He graduated from Nazareth High School in 1967. He attended South Plains College in Levelland prior to enlisting in the US Army, where he was an engineer. As the plane was ready to take off for Vietnam from San Diego, all soldiers who were only sons were taken off the plane. Claude and 80 others from his unit instead served in Germany during the height of the Vietnam War. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Nazareth where he farmed. He married Brenda Robertson in December 1977 in Nazareth. He was happy to be dad to her two children, and they were blessed with two more. In 1983 he began working part-time for the US Postal Service, working a regular route for many years before giving it up due to knee issues. While he never much liked the job, he enjoyed the people he would see on his route. Often times he would be the only visitor for days on end of every house to which he delivered the mail. He was a good lookin' son of a gun and had a million dollar smile when he smiled it- more often you'd get a little mouth upturn but that would be it, except for those eyes which always exuded happiness, even glee. The eyes told the story, and he was quite a happy man. Claude delighted in helping youngsters with their livestock show projects, including his own. He was a cowboy- much more than just a cowboy at heart - who would have much rather worn a western cut shirt and jeans with his special cowboy hat, and he did wear those any time he could. He wanted to be buried much like a cowboy would have been buried back when the Texas Panhandle was mostly rangeland. He will be laid to rest in a handbuilt pine casket built by Keith Hoelting, which has been branded with his single diamond. Claude is survived by his wife, Brenda; one daughter, Sage Annen of Dallas; three sons, Howie and his wife Cindy, and sons Brody and Caleb of Keller; Jon Mac and his wife Lesly, son Garrett and daughter Shelby, of Argyle; Cody and his wife ZuElla, daughter Zaiden and son Lawton of Wray, CO; and numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and special friends. Pallbearers are Allen Dobmeier, Dwayne Huseman, Harold Venhaus, Clyde Schulte, Louis Acker and David Evans. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Drerup, Floyd Schulte, Gilbert Schulte, Don Acker, Marvin Schulte and Lawrence Schmucker. In lieu of flower or arrangements, the family kindly asks instead for donations to the Claude Annen Memorial Scholarship Fund at People's Bank of Nazareth, PO Box 309, Nazareth, TX 79063. Funds from the scholarship will be awarded to Lamb Showmanship winner at the Castro County Junior Livestock Show in Claude's honor.