Claude Allen Dance, Jr.

Claude Allen Dance, Jr. passed away on August 13, 2016 after a long and happy life and a year-long battle with cancer where he never complained and worried about others more than the disease he battled. Born December 5, 1929 to Maude (Whatley) and Col. Claude A. Dance Sr., Claude lived his entire life in Shreveport and worked as a self-employed farmer, rancher, florist and real estate investor for most of his career. Claude graduated from Byrd H.S. and went on to Centenary and LSU earning his advanced degrees in Botany and Plant Pathology. After a three year enlistment in the Marine Corps, Claude received his commission in the United States Army Reserve where he spent several years in the Army Chemical Corps researching biochemicals during the Korean War. He then spent several years in his family's florist business before committing full time to his own endeavors which he continued until his recent illness. Along the way, Mr. Dance made many friends and acquaintances through his work and affiliations with numerous organizations such as: Caddo Parrish School Board, MENSA Chapter of Shreveport, Boy Scouts of America, Toastmasters, Shreveport Rotary Club and the First Methodist Church of Shreveport. Mr. Dance was one of the last of a breed of Southerners who still used words like "Much obliged" when thanking someone. He had a life-long love for the natural world, his church, friends, family gatherings, various thrills to include snow and water skiing, tennis, golf, hunting for golf balls, avid hunter, airplane pilot, white water rafting and even sky diving on his 85^th birthday. Mr. Dance is preceded in death by his parents, his son Walter H. Dance, and his sister Louene Dance Long. He is survived by his children, Janet Dance of Marina del Rey, CA, Claude A. Dance III (LeeAlice) of Dripping Springs, TX, Gwendolyn Dance Stroud (Gary) of Austin, TX, Daniel W. Dance (Christie) of Georgetown, TX; his sister, Ruby Dance Dehan of Shreveport, LA; and his friend and companion of 20 years, Becky Warren. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Jane Schroeder Dance; and his grandchildren, Harrison A. Dance, Claude Alexander Dance, Spencer L. Dance, Walter M. Dance, Greta Jane Stroud, Sidone Dance, Noah Dance and Joshua Dance. Visitation will be Tuesday August 16, 2016 at Rose-Neath on Marshall St., Shreveport, LA from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at Greenwood Cemetery followed by a reception at First United Methodist Church of Shreveport. Pallbearers are Harrison Dance, Claude Alexander Dance, Spencer Dance, Walter Dance, Frank Book, and Thad Richardson. Honorary pallbearers include Jimmy Bowles, Bill Slattery, Mike Ollette, Doug Murdoch, Normand Roy, Judge Dan Sawyer and Charles Alexander. The family would like to thank Courtney Mooney of St. Joseph's Hospice, and Dr. Jonathan Davis for the patience and meaningful care given to Mr. Dance despite him knowing better than they did. He will be greatly missed.