Claude Andrus Jackson

Claude Andrus Jackson died August 24, 2014 at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont, Texas after an illness. Claude was born July 4, 1952 to Bettye Andrus and O.R. Jackson in Port Arthur, Texas. He graduated from Forest Park High School and Lamar University and worked for many years in a family owned business dealing with parts for cars, trucks, and construction equipment. He was a long-time member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, serving on the Parish Vestry. He was treasurer for many years. Claude was active in the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) and the World Boxing Council (WBC). He served as the NABF president from 2001 to 2005 and remained an active member of both organizations for the past 20 years. In addition to his term as president, he was vice-president for four years and a member of the Executive Committee for the past sixteen years. Claude led the NABF ratings committee for 15 years and was a member of the WBC ratings committee for 13 years, the past 7 years a vice-chairman. Prior to becoming involved with the NABF and WBC, Claude was a writer for various boxing publications, a charter member of the Budweiser Ratings Panel formed by Bert Sugar circa 1977, and was a sports announcer for Clear-Channel Communications radio station on the Texas Gulf Coast. At this year's NABF convention in Chicago, Claude was named "Fighter of the Year" as he fought valiantly to recover and get back to work with his boxing family. Claude is survived by his cousins Kay Andrus Coonrod of Austin, Suzanne Marchak of Port Neches, Jim Andrus of Jourdanton, Cynthia Dowse of Houston and Syd Russell of Fairfax Station, Virginia. Memorial services will be held Thursday, September 4, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Port Neches with Rev. Cliff Rucker officiating under the direction of Levingston Funeral Home Port Neches. Visitation for family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time Thursday, September 4, 2014 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial be sent to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 2425 Nall Street, Port Neches, Texas 77951.