Claude Berwind Wylie
July 6, 1937 ~ February 13, 2023 (age 85)
Obituary
Claude Wylie passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023, after a short illness. He was born on Tuesday, July 6, 1937, in Gallup, NM, to Claude Sr. and Virginia Wylie. His family moved to Albuquerque in 1942 and this became his permanent place of residence. Claude graduated from Highland High School in 1955 and he received a degree in Civil Engineering from UNM in 1960.
Claude devoted all his 55-year career to the highway contracting business, most notably the 20 years working for his father and uncle at Wylie Brothers Contracting Co. and 23 years as co-owner of Wylie Corp. with his brother Alan. During this time, Claude served several times on the board of directors of the Associated Contractors of New Mexico, including twice as president in 1981 and 1989. Throughout his career, Claude garnered the highest respect, from employees and subcontractors to fellow contractors and transportation agency personnel.
In his early adulthood, Claude learned the game of golf and developed a love for it that would last the rest of his life. It was through golf and his long-standing membership at Albuquerque country Club that he cultivated many wonderful, lasting friendships. At 75, Claude retired from the work world which allowed him to play golf several times a week with his close friends. Those rounds would typically culminate with conversation, kidding, and camaraderie at the 19th hole in the clubhouse. Several years ago, physical ailments hindered Claude from playing golf anymore, but thankfully they didn't keep him from the 19th hole gatherings. On their golfing days, Claude would get a call from his buddies when they reached the 17th hole. This was his cue to walk over to the club and join them, keeping his place in that band of golfing buddies.
Above all else, all who knew Claude recognized that his family was most important to him, and he would do all he could for them. His deep love for the two daughters that he had with Winnie Wylie, Karen (Fred Arellin) Wylie and Ginger (Mike) Moore, was overflowing. His granddaughter Alyssa (Chris) Parrado brought him unmatched joy, and his great-grandson Asher Ryan Parrado was the icing on the cake.
Claude's last 22 years of life were immensely enriched with his marriage to Julie Wylie, who was such a fitting companion and kept him enjoying the adventures of life. Claude gladly embraced and loved Julie's family members as his own and it is clear they loved him: Julie's son Trey (Linda) Ward, Trey's step-daughter Stacey (Bob) Sutton, Julie's grandson Conor Ward, and Conor's mom Kim Keeling along with her husband Robert whom Claude considered as "adopted daughter" and "bonus son-in-law".
As eldest of the Wylie family, he graciously fulfilled that role, providing loving and strong support to each of his siblings: Alan Wylie, Nancy Banes, and Ken (Barb) Wylie. Claude also loved all his nieces and nephews, enjoying the role of mentor and advisor to each of them.
Claude was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Wylie Sr. and Virginia "Gina" Wylie; his brother, Alan Wylie; sister, Nancy Banes; his baby girl Christine Wylie; and his "adopted daughter", Kim Keeling.
A man of incredible honesty and integrity, Claude had a huge appetite for knowledge and for life in general. Humble to the core, doing the right thing was never a question for Claude - he just did it. His family will try to carry that on for him, but never quite as well.
A reception to celebrate his life will take place at 2:15p.m. to 4:00p.m. on Friday, March 10, 2023 at Sandia Golf and Club Center, located at Sandia Resort and Casino.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to a charity of your choice.
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