Claude Coray

Claude Laville Coray of Los Angeles, California died on 21st November 2017 at the age of 84. Claude Laville Coray was born in Ogden, Utah. An “Extraordinary Man” has died. Born Claude LaVille Coray, Jr. the youngest of seven children to Lillian Flygare and Claude Laville Coray Sr., Claude led an incredibly rich and varied life. One that was filled with love, achievement, and principle. Stubborn to the end, he resisted succumbing to the intrusion of the government, fighting affectionately but steadfastly with all manner of insurance purveyors and medical professionals. Deuce as he was affectionately known was a beloved son, brother, uncle and great uncle to the family that he cherished. A talented computer programmer, he began his career in 1955. He was blessed with a naturally logical and analytical mind and he used his fierce intelligence to forge a highly successful career with IBM, rising to a senior level. He was integral to IBM pioneering the first voice recognition software. His aptitude for innovation was not confined to the office, anyone who was fortunate to have known Deuce was likely to have been bestowed with an unusual nickname or an on-going series of poems and stories as much for his amusement as for theirs, he renamed family, friends, dogs and various presidents. Although his greatest creativity was arguably saved for the kitchen where he was the creator of all manner of unusual concoctions or what he referred to as Deucies and Glops. Deuce retired early and spent the next stage of his life as a trader and father figure to Orlanda and Ana Laura. An incredibly generous man he donated to the local girls softball team in Westchester and helped coach the teams. He was a highly principled man and led his life with firm convictions as to how he wanted to live and how he would make decisions. The richness of his life continued even as his mobility deteriorated. He remained a voracious reader and devoured information on a wide variety of topics. Making him not only a fantastically well-informed and humorous commentator but also a formidable opponent and critic of stupidity. In particular government intrusion and liberal politics. His acerbically witty emails kept his family and friends in no doubt as to his positioning on all manner of events. Deuce is survived by the Coray family in Los Osos, California and Utah. They truly do not make them like him anymore. He never wavered in his opinion, principle, generosity, selflessness, empathy and love for those close to him to the end. Deuce will always be remembered. Contact: Orlanda Lopez, 415-465-0043