Claude Bartlett Slone was born June 10, 1932, son of Jeanette Hammonds and Commodore Slone. He was the youngest of seven children, expertly delivered at home by a much respected so-called “granny woman” by the name of Phoebe Jane. At the time of Claude’s birth, his naïve siblings were still of the opinion that all babies came ready made from Phoebe Jane’s ever-present little black bag.

          Claude nostalgically recalls his childhood days as his wonder years, a simple kind of life which exists now only in his mind – a time of going barefoot in summer, of bringing the cows down in the evening from the piece of “new-ground” cleared out high in the hills, and climbing the rocky ridges on the mountaintop looking down on the valley. It was a time when fishing in the creek, playing horse shoes with real shoes previously worn by real horses, and expertly shooting at marbles with your own best taw were favorite pastimes. There were no TVs, no video games, no paved roads, no police sirens, no drugs, and no reason to lock your door at night – just good mountain people who knew and trusted their neighbors and who didn’t need possessions in order to feel loved and secure.

          Being the youngest of seven children, Claude recognized early on the importance of establishing his presence. As a result he coined his own personal catch-phrase, which is very much in evidence in the Slone family to this day….”Never fear when Claude is near!” That still pretty much sums up Claude’s attitude toward life in general. His family members use this quote regularly and to date have found no reason to disbelieve it.

          Claude’s school years passed rapidly and with only a few incidents unsuitable for discussion here. He excelled when he was motivated; and at age fifteen, in his infinite wisdom, he opted to eliminate his senior year of high school and go straight to college. This proved to be an unwise decision, since native ability does not translate to maturity. Dropping out of college at the ripe old age of seventeen, he moved to Dayton, Ohio to seek his fortune in the factory, an occupation which he shortly abandoned as being boring and unchallenging.

          The next chapter in Claude’s life proved to be a more important and rewarding experience than he could possibly have envisioned. The Korean War was in progress, and although he was eligible for deferment because he had lost a brother in a plane crash in World War II, he volunteered for service in the Korean War zone. Here he experienced firsthand the harsh realities of war, where maturity and responsibility were necessary for survival. He was assigned to an advanced Air Force unit which handled all classified documents. He received three battle stars and was awarded the Commendation Metal for his handling of top secret material. Claude still recalls proudly the words of Colonel Frank Langston as he conferred on him his Award of Commendation…”Slone, if I ever have a son, I would like for him to be just like you.”  The bonds of lifelong friendships formed and the lessons learned about responsibility and leadership during his years of military service have always been for Claude a source of immense pride and pleasure.

          Claude was married to Jessie Niece, his childhood sweetheart,  on April 9, 1954, and they settled in Knott County where their three sons were born. Claude was now ready to seriously pursue the college education he had previously abandoned. He attended Eastern State University and graduated with a major in accounting and minors in English and math. He returned briefly to teach at the same Knott County High School he had attended a few years earlier. While he enjoyed teaching he was unimpressed by the salary, so he accepted a job as a social worker for the area. Nothing had quite prepared him for the needs he found among the children whose futures would be dictated by his decisions. He spent long days and restless nights worrying about how, with so few resources at his command, he could provide these children with bare necessities and a chance for a better life. Claude ultimately decided that, due to the intense amount of emotional stress involved he should seek employment more suited to his temperament.

          At this time, Bert Combs, the newly elected governor, had just incorporated new sales and use tax laws which created a need for accountants and auditors. Claude applied for and was chosen as one of eleven members of state government to serve as Kentucky’s first auditors. He advanced from District Manager to Regional Manager, and eventually to State Supervisor of Auditors. Here he designed and implemented the State’s first standard audit procedure and programs. He was then assigned as Director of Sales and Use Taxes and Coal Severance Taxes. Under Claude’s supervision, and using his auditing techniques, the Revenue Department uncovered millions of tax dollars which would otherwise have gone undetected and uncollected. As an expert, he presented papers at national conferences as well as to the U.S. Senate. He ultimately achieved the status of Commissioner and remained in that position until his retirement at age 55. During all of his years in state government, Claude made regular visits back to Knott County and always welcomed the opportunity to be of service to a fellow Knott Countian.

          In retirement, Claude and Jessie have had time to enjoy their children and grandchildren, of whom they are justifiably proud. Keith, a retiree from the U.S. Army with the rank of Lieutenant, now lives in Frankfort; while Rick, a pharmacist, and Jerry, a lawyer and college professor, settled in Knott County to raise their own families. Claude enjoys a host of loyal friends all across Kentucky. To him, there are no big people or no little people – there are only people. He is still, as he has always been, happiest when he can be of help. Since his retirement, he has especially enjoyed his years of serving on the Gingerbread Festival Committee. He is also very passionate about his involvement in activities honoring our veterans and those who are currently serving our country in the armed forces. Although Claude has owned houses in Frankfort for most of his life, he truly does believe that home is where the heart is. And so it is that his special home sits nestled among the trees on a hilltop in Knott County, the place closest to his heart.