(1925 – 2022)
Claude W. Pike was born November 22, 1926, on a cotton farm in northeast Limestone County. His parents, Homer and Ruth Pike, had a cotton gin.
Before beginning his 31-year career with the Extension service, he served with the brave men and women in World War II. As an 18-year-old, he was drafted into the US Navy (amphibious division) serving as gunner on the bow of the USS LST-543. They stormed Juno Beach, June 6, 1944, during the Allied Invasion of Normandy France on D-Day. Toughness, grit, and strength led his crew through the largest seaborne invasion in history. He was also involved in the invasion of Okinawa in the South Pacific.
After military service, he pursued a career in agriculture. Upon obtaining a bachelors, masters, and educational specialist degree in Agriculture Science from Auburn University, he knew he wanted to be a County Agriculture Agent.
In 1952, Pike began his career as an agent in Lauderdale and Franklin counties on a temporary assignment. In 1953, he was assigned to 4-H work in Covington County where he organized thirty 4-H clubs. In 1956, he began assisting farmers in crop and livestock production through farm visits, holding program meetings and weekly radio programs. That lead to weekly newspaper columns to communicate the latest farm information from Auburn University.
In 1962, he was promoted to Associate County Agent and assigned the swine program. Most farmers had hogs and Pike educated them in production practices and overall record keeping. He organized a county hog association with about 800 farmers. He set up breeding stock sales and held market show sales.
In 1978, he became County Agent Coordinator. That required more time in the office with administrative duties. There were three assistant agricultural agents and two home agents. Agricultural agents were assigned commodities – cotton, corn, peanuts, livestock. This was beneficial to the county. He retired with 31-years of service in 1983.
Pike received the National Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents and Specialists. He served as district director of the Alabama association. He was Covington County director of ALFA and a member of the Kiwanis Club.
He was a member of Andalusia First Baptist Church. He was a 52-year member of Masonic Lodge 434. He served his community with the Covington County Veterans Association and the Covington County Schools.
He is survived by his wife, Nan Shelley Pike, and two children, William and Sylvia. He was an avid hunter, enjoyed fishing, wildlife, sports, and especially the Auburn Tigers.
In recognition for his years of service, the name Claude W. Pike is inscribed on the dedicatory plaque of the Extension Memorial Chapel.
Chapel Plaque Inscription Number 670
