Lt. Col. Claude Leonard Lott

Claude Leonard Lott, 80, of Baytown, TX, passed away Saturday, February 8, 2025. He was born in Seminary, MS, on August 31, 1944, to Ezra Woods and Nina Mae Lott, both of Seminary, MS. He was married to Janette Arleane Ruffin for 53 years.

Claude graduated from Wilberforce’s Central State University where he earned his BS in Industrial Technology. Six months after graduation, he entered the United States Marine Corps through the Officer Candidate School Program at MCB Quantico, VA. His first assignment was to the Second Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, NC.

In 1970, Claude met Janette Ruffin of Compton, CA. They were married on December 1, 1971, and Claude adopted Janette’s two daughters, Kelly and Tracy. Janette and Claude shared an openness, a sense of adventure, and a curiosity about the world that would stay with them throughout their lives, and that would shape the family’s outlook.

Following seven months of training, LT Lott deployed to Vietnam for a 13-month tour of duty. Upon completing his tour in Vietnam, (then) Captain Lott reported to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, CA. as the Officer-in-Charge of the Marine Air Traffic Control Unit (MATCU). He later became the Executive Officer of the Station Operations Maintenance and Electronics Squadron.

Claude attended the Amphibious Warfare School in Quantico, VA, where, in 1973, Janette gave birth to their third daughter, Brigitte. Claude was later assigned to the First marine Aircraft Wing and was stationed in Nam Phong, Thailand, and in Iwakuni, Japan. In 1979, Claude, Janette and Brigitte moved to Okinawa. Rather than living on the base, they chose to live “on the economy” where they were able to better interact with local people and become enveloped in the culture. The Lotts made lifelong friends in Okinawa, as they did during all of their travels for Claude’s various assignments. Claude eventually served as the Executive Officer, and Commanding Officer of the Marine Air Control Squadron, and later was assigned to the Third Marine Aircraft Wing in Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, CA. Eventually he was promoted to Commanding Officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, CA.

All told, Claude Lott served 26 years and retired from the United States Marine Corp as a LTCOL in 1992.

Claude was a lifelong athlete and a fitness enthusiast. He served as a coach for both the U.S. Armed Forces Track & Field Team and the U.S. Marine Corps Track & Field Team and competed in four Council International du Sport Militaire (CISM) championships, three National AAU Track & Field championships and fourteen ALL-Marine Track & Field Championships and twelve Armed Forces Championships in the Discus Throw and Shot Put expeditions. After retirement, he could often be found riding his bike or on his treadmill.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, Claude joined the staff at the Ross S. Sterling High School as a MCJROTC Instructor and Assistant Track & Field Coach. He retired from Ross S. Sterling in July 2007. As a JROTC leader, Claude made an impression on each and every student he led and mentored. Often, students would reach out to “Colonel Lott” years after they were in his classes and thank him for the impact he had on their lives. He was a revered, and highly respected member of the Baytown community.

In retirement, Claude officiated athletic events, worked as a driver, built model trains, read autobiographies, enjoyed working in his yard, and spent hours and hours with his grandchildren - teaching many of them to drive based on his experience as a driver’s education instructor. He and Janette traveled the world - Egypt, Vietnam (for fun this time), and Greece, among many, many other places. Claude lived life to its fullest and was always open to an adventure.

What made Claude Lott such an amazing man and such an effective Marine, Officer, father, teacher, coach, husband, grandfather, and person, was the way he combined strength with kindness. He was simultaneously the strongest and gentlest man anyone in his family could ever hope to know. He was also a sincerely curious and open person. Claude loved to converse and he could talk to anyone about anything. While many can talk, Claude listened, and he listened with an open, engaging heart - and this set him apart. He was a truly special person, there is no one else like him, and he will be truly missed.

Claude is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Brigitte Louise Jacobson of Baltimore, MD., and siblings: Martha Woods Magee, Mildred Woods Brown, Willie James Woods, Susie Woods, Carolyn Woods Sampson, Mary Alice Woods Saunders, Mary Louise Woods Jordan, all of Gulfport, MS, LeDrew Woods of Lubbock, TX, Catherine Fraley of Atlanta, GA, Minnie Louise Cooley of Cincinnati, OH, his cousins: Jeff Ro, Jessie and Elmo Lott.

He is survived by his wife, Janette Lott, his sister, Winnie Woods Holloway of Gulfport, MS; his cousins: Robert L. Lott (Nancy) of Little Rock, AR, S.P. Lott (Audrey) of Memphis, TN, and Thelma McCann of Lakewood, FL; his daughters: Tracy Williams of Baytown, TX, Kelly Bridgeforth of San Diego, CA; his grandchildren: Brandon Williams (Tammy Jo), Oriana, Orin, and Oaja Bridgeforth, Nick and Noah Jacobson; beloved Son-in-law, Michael Jacobson (Jenny); constant companion and nephew, Sjawn Wade; great grandchildren: Ramiel Bridgeforth-Blocker, Everby and Revelrie Williams and a host of dearly loved and adored cousins, nieces & nephews, great nieces & nephews and dear friends.

Visitation is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 24th from 5-8pm, and services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 25th beginning at 11:30am, both at Navarre Funeral Home Chapel, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, TX 77521. The committal will follow at 2:15 PM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038.

In lieu flowers please make donations to: www.empowermentthroughaviation.org