Charles M. Claycomb

Charles M. Claycomb of Bella Vista, Ark., recently passed at the age of 87 while being cared for by hospice in Bentonville, Ark., on Nov. 3, 2012. Charles was born to Royal and Madeline Claycomb in Marshall, Mo., Dec. 20, 1924. They later moved to Lindsborg, Kan. He graduated in 1944 as valedictorian of his class. Mr. Claycomb married Virginia Perry, Jan. 27, 1946. They hopped on a train for him to play the trumpet with Don Reid's Big Band until 1947-48. They had a daughter, Linda, in 1947 and moved to Guymon, Okla. He worked for Claycomb Battery and Electric. Charles continued to play his horn with a small band in the area. Virginia and Charles had a second daughter, Sandra, in 1952. Soon after, he was employed with Northern Natural Gas Company for 32 years. While in Guymon, the family attended the Methodist church. His main passions were fishing, camping and going to the mountains. Charles helped to start the Booster Club for the band in Guymon to help defray expenses for students in music. After retiring from a branch of Northern Natural in Denver, Charles and Virginia moved to Bella Vista, Ark., in 1986. They have made this their home for the past 26 years. They are members of the Bella Vista Community Church. They enjoyed their clubs, hobbies, and having friends and family to visit. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Jenny Swenson. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Claycomb of Bentonville, Ark.; two daughters, Sandra Hedrick (Steve) of Hooker Okla., Linda Quinter (Ken) of Pottstown, Pa.; four grandchildren, Travis Quinter, Todd Quinter, Karmyn Heckart, Kaleb Hedrick; and four great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Bella Vista Community Church. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. The family requests that memorials be made to the Bella Vista Public Library.