Claude Howard Hunskor, 86, of Oak Harbor, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Jan. 10, 2014. He was born June 16, 1927, in Oak Harbor to Carl and Hilda Hunskor. He graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1945. Upon graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during WWII. Following his brief time in the Navy, Claude entered Pacific Lutheran University where he played on the men’s basketball team and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in education.
Claude moved to Ketchikan, Alaska, in 1955 where he taught high school math. Claude was named head basketball coach of the Ketchikan High School Kings in 1957. He led his team to five state championships, earning the nickname “The Silver Fox of Tongas Narrows” and became one of the winningest high school basketball coaches in Alaska state history. It was at Ketchikan High School where he met a young English teacher named Nancy Jo Swank. Claude and Nancy married in 1965 and their son Mark Hayden was born three years later. The family moved back home to Oak Harbor in 1970 where Claude built a home on his beloved Strawberry Point right next door to his parents.
Claude had a strong love of the sea and while in Ketchikan, realized his dream of owning his own fishing boat. In 1963, the gillnetter “Lori Maureen” was built in Prince Rupert, Canada. Claude went on to fish for salmon in Southeast Alaska for the next 30 years. He was joined on the Lori Maureen every summer by his son, Mark, where they picked countless thousands of salmon out of their net off Foggy Point.
Claude lost his wife, Nancy, to cancer in 1989 and retired from fishing in 1993. In his retirement he enjoyed digging for clams, crabbing and walking the beach in front of his house. He also enjoyed daily visits with his siblings, Marion and Helen, who lived just up the hill. Claude traveled to a variety of places in his life, but the most memorable for him was a three week trip to Norway in 1999 with his son, Mark, to experience their family heritage.
Claude took great pride in his family and was overjoyed at the arrival of his first grandchild, Hayden Walter in 2001. His granddaughter, Rose Nancy, was born shortly after, and they were the apple of his eye.
Through it all, the primary influence and guiding light in Claude’s life was his relationship with Christ. He was a charter member of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church and found great comfort in his faith and devotion to God.
Claude will be remembered for his love of lutefisk, his competitive spirit, his old fishing stories and his unceasing generosity. He was preceded in death by his brother Hans, father Carl, mother Hilda and brother Marion. He is survived by his son Mark, daughter-in-law Angele, grandchildren Hayden and Rose and sister Helen Brandt.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, 1253 N.W. Second Ave., Oak Harbor. Remembrances can be made to the Pastor’s Emergency Fund at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences in the Book of Memories hosted by Wallin Funeral Home at www.wallinfuneralhome.com
