Claude Allen Sammons, 91, of Minford, passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at SOMC Hospice. Born February 4, 1934 in Access, Kentucky, a son of the late William T. and Beadie (Walker) Sammons, he was a 1952 graduate of Raceland High School in Raceland, Kentucky. Claude was a lifetime member of Fairview Missionary Baptist Church, where he had served as Sunday School teacher, deacon and usher.
He was a member James Irwin Post No. 622 American Legion in Minford. Claude was a U.S. Army veteran, a member of the 22nd Infantry Regimental Football Team in Germany. Along with his brothers, he played football for Eastern Kentucky University, and obtained his Master’s Degree from Xavier University. Over the years Claude built numerous homes for individuals in the Minford and Lucasville area, and he enjoyed wood working, and could build anything. He was the first football coach for the Minford High School football program, coached football and track for Minford, Lucasville Valley, and South Point High Schools.
He retired from Lucasville Local Schools in Lucasville, and was devoted father, grandfather, and great grandfather and loved to attend as many of the kids activities as he could. Claude was an avid hunter and fisherman. He and Ruth had a house on Lake Erie where they enjoyed gathering with family making memories.
He is survived by one son, Todd (Kim) Sammons of Johnstown; daughter, Beth (Ron) Coriell of Minford; five grandchildren, Kurt (Kayla) Sammons, Scott (Christine) Sammons, Holly (Kyle) Florio, Carrie (Seth) Howard, McKenzie (Jordan) West; seven great grandchildren, Jozie West, Sutton Sammons, Macie Howard, Riley Howard, Demry Sammons, Drew Sammons, Lucie West, and Scott and Christine are expecting their first child in a couple of weeks; sister-in-law, Judy Lewellan of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Ruth Ann (Deemer) Sammons on May 26, 2018, whom he married at Fairview Missionary Baptist Church; two brothers, Thomas, Charles, and his sister, Faye.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Elbrooke Pavilion and SOMC Hospice for the excellent care. Memorial contributions can be made to Fairview Missionary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 198, Minford, Ohio 45653.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 29, 2026 at Fairview Missionary Baptist Church, 1625 Piketon Road, Lucasville, Ohio 45648 with Pastor Nahum O’Brien officiating. Burial will be a Bennett Cemetery in Minford. Friends may call at Erwin-Dodson-Allen Funeral Home, 6710 Swauger Valley Road, Minford, Ohio 45653 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Military graveside rites will be conducted by James Irwin Post No. 622 American Legion and William A. Baker Post No. 363. Online condolences may be sent to www.edafh.com.