We lost a good one!

[Tennessee Beast]

With sadness, I must inform you of the loss of TNColonel (Claude Morse).  He passed away at his home this past Sunday.  He was an amazing ambassador for Project Appleseed for over 15 years and was very committed to serving others...especially veterans.  I feel like it is appropriate that he passed on Veterans Day weekend.  Memorial services will be held December 2, 2023. Visitation 12PM-1PM and service at 1PM at Trinity Lutheran Church at 705 Wilson Avenue in Tullahoma, Tennessee. A good showing of Project Appleseed instructors at his memorial service would warm his wife Bobbie's heart. Please keep Bobbie and Claude's family in your thoughts and prayers.     

Here is his obituary:

Claude Morse, Coffee County Commissioner of District 2, has passed away.

Claude Morse was active in many community organizations, not limited to, but including:

Arnold Air Force Association Chapter, Wreaths Across America, The Arnold Community Council, Friends of the NRA, Project Appleseed, Honor Flight and was Judge Advocate for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10904.

Memorial services will be held December 2, 2023. Visitation 12PM-1PM and service at 1PM at Trinity Lutheran Church at 705 Wilson Avenue in Tullahoma, Tennessee.

Kimberly King, Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10904 has released this statement:

It is often said that someone who died while on active duty, gave his or her life for their country. Claude Morse did not die while he was still serving in the Air Force but I would contend that he too, gave his life for his country.

Instead of retiring to a life leisure, Claude chose to serve. He was the most active member of my VFW Post when it came to contributing to the community and volunteer work.

His involvement included working with the Arnold Community Council, AEDC Fellows Program, Honor Flight of Middle Tennessee, Highland Rim Shooters Club, Project Appleseed, Wreaths Across America, Friends of the NRA and Coffee County Republican Party.

On top of all of that, Claude was our VFW Post 10904, Judge Advocate, for the past 5 years and a Coffee County Commissioner.

Each year, our members are asked to report the total amount of volunteer hours and miles they drove when performing volunteer work. In 2022, Claude reported a mind-blowing 1,968 hours of volunteer work and 3,192 miles to perform this work.

Breaking this down, if you were to work an average 40-hour work week, the hours would total 160 hours. Each month, Claude was reporting 164 hours, equivalent to working a full time job every month of the year.

We will never forget the time we shared with Claude in our lives. And it should be noted that our Post has won the VFW National All-American Award for the past 5 years in a row.  Claude, has been an officer in our Post for the past 5 years. This is no coincidence. Claude was indeed a treasured member of our VFW Post. A true friend to his core, and devoted in every way possible to making sure his community was better.

Thank you Claude for teaching us all how to live with a servant's heart.


https://thunder1320.com/updated-coffee-county-commissioner-claude-morse-memorial-scheduled/

[Maximum Ordinate]

TnColonel awarded my patch.  I was privileged to Shoot Boss many events at his range.

Most of the instructors in the Tennessee Valley trace their Appleseed lineage through TnColonel.

He was a good man and will be missed.  I'm sure the Founders he revered so much welcomed him with open arms.   

[Cleveland]

TnColonel awarded me my rifleman patch at Elk River Training Center many years ago. His presence here will be missed. He was a true Patriot.

[Roswell]

I regret never having met Claude, but heard many good things. My condolences to his family and friends. Rest easy Rifleman.

[ArmyVet]

TnColonel awarded me my rifleman patch at Manchester on Sep 2, 2018. He gave me my Orange Hat on Sep 29, 2018.

His dedication to our mission (and many others) will be missed. Rest in peace, Colonel.

[dond]

Claude came to his first event at Puryear, where I was SB. He asked that I SB at Manchester, which I did. It was the first one there, and my wife, Sarah, and I were the only Appleseeders there, with a full line. He left a true legacy in Tennessee which has fostered such an admirable and competent crew of Patriots. This is such a sad day.

[scuzzy]

May the Lord welcome you into his Kingdom.

While we never met in person we've had buku PMs back and forth and I know he was dedicated to our cause. And was definitely one of our Brothers in Arms.

Rest in Peace.

[DEH]

Very Definitely lost a good one.  As I recall Claude was the TN State Coordinator while he was an orange hat.  TazDevil and I drove out to Manchester in the fall of 2010 because the shoot had like 45 shooters and no Shoot Boss.  Of all the instructors that were there the only one I remember is TnColonel. Primarily because of his character and passion for service.  For some reason he just stood out.

A few pics I could quickly find.

[Tennessee Beast]

Should we wear Appleseed gear or coat and tie?

[Mrs. Smith]

Should we wear Appleseed gear or coat and tie?

Just a thought, Beast, but I should think a jacket and tie with an Appleseed lapel pin will be just right to show respect for TNColonel and all he did for our program.

[Steck]

May his memory be a blessing.

[Tennessee Beast]

Should we wear Appleseed gear or coat and tie?

Just a thought, Beast, but I should think a jacket and tie with an Appleseed lapel pin will be just right to show respect for TNColonel and all he did for our program.

That is a Great idea!!!  Let's all do that!!!!

[Hardbean]

Claude helped me get my start in Appleseed.  He was always eager to help and assist attendees.  He usually brought a small gun show's worth of loaner rifles with him in the back of his van.  When he noticed me struggling with my bolt action, he loaned me one of his 10/22 hot rods without hesitation.

I graduated high school with his daughter.  He brought his pets to my father (veterinarian and Rifleman).  He was not related to us in any way but he felt like family member. 

Claude exemplified what a community member could and should be.  He will be greatly missed.

[Tennessee Beast]

For those who cannot make it, it will be live-streamed on YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/live/FxjHEoxY97Y?si=PWo45REKIvKYVinZ

[Old Navy Doc]

I just returned from Claude's memorial and funeral service. The Appleseed faithful were well represented by many from Tennessee and Alabama, I barely recognized some in their non-instructor gear.

Claude's grandson was splendid in full Army Captain's uniform. He spoke of how he shares what he learned at Manchester Appleseeds with his troops, to the benefit of them and our nation!

Claude's legacy will continue and be an inspiration to us all. I know I and my daughter were blessed to be exposed and influenced by him.

Steve

[Mrs. Smith]

That's lovely. Thank you so much for sharing that with us.

[BluegrassColonel]

What Claude Morse means to me cannot adequately be expressed here.  As others have stated, he was a huge element in the success of Project Appleseed in Tennessee and the region.

What isn't known by most people is the massive amount of time he volunteered in a number of non-profit organizations.  In a summary of his activities in 2022 he reported 1,968 hours of volunteer work and 3,192 miles to perform this work.  He lived the admonition we make to our shooters at our benedictions to "get involved."

On a personal note, he (and the other cadre members) made an indelible impression on me at my first Project Appleseed in October 2013 at Arnold Air Force Base in Manchester, TN.  It was the first time I had ventured out of our family's world after the passing of our youngest son, Joel, in July of that year.  Several things happened that weekend that are unforgettable (Glynn Haston being patient with me and giving me an extended mag release for my son's 10/22, the heartfelt personal greeting on entering the parking lot, the history, the Instructors' encouragement, obvious care, and professionalism, among them).

However, the biggest individual impression was left by Claude.  During a break after the first "Hit's Count" target Saturday morning, he struck up a conversation with me.  I mentioned Joel's passing and he was visibly moved and expressed his condolences.  Obviously, at the "Good, Bad, and the Ugly" that evening he shared what I had told him.  Every member of the cadre approached me at some point the next day and said that they had heard about our son's passing and that they would be praying for us.  That evening, while sweeping up brass, Claude handed me a brand new USGI sling (I had been using a universal sling) and sling loops in the packages and said he wanted me to be an instructor.

When I called my wife from the road on my way home, I could hardly croak out what an impression the event had had on me and how much I wanted her and our son to attend.  Cheryl ("Little Shine") is now Applecore.

Claude involved me in several activities to help promote Project Appleseed.  He encouraged me to attend events led by other SB's for "cross-pollination."  He modeled how to care for shooters one-on-one.  He also modeled how to confront conflict as a gentleman (a rather surly military officer who insisted that the Project Appleseed - cadre and shooters alike - get off the range at AAFB).  He modeled passing positive feedback down and negative information up. 

Claude presented me with my green hat and helped me open the range to our events at Stones River Hunter Education Center.

Claude never failed to ask me how our family was during all of our telephone calls and ended them by asking me to give my best to Cheryl.

Claude's mentorship and loyal service to Project Appleseed will leave a gap that will be hard to fill.

Thank you, Claude.

In Liberty,
Greg Seneff, Sr.
"Bluegrass Colonel"
615-496-7405
appleseedtn@gmail.com