Claus “Dutch” Mann, Retired Captain, US Army Airborne, age 93, went to be with his beautiful bride Helen, on March 25, 2017.

Claus was born February 29, 1924, in Prerow, Germany, to the late William Mann and Gertrude Grube Mann.

Claus enlisted in the US Army in December 1942. He served in WWII with the 504th Parachute Infantry, 82nd Division. He served in Korea with the 7th Infantry Division and in the Vietnam era with the 501st B6 and the 101st Airborne Division. He was a Regimental Sergeant Major before receiving his direct commission from General William Westmoreland. Mr. Mann was a lifetime member of the 101st Airborne Division, the Association of the US Army, the 82nd Airborne Division, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is an honorable member of the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne.

Claus earned a BS in Elementary Education from Austin Peay State University and an MS in Education Administration from the University of Tennessee. He later worked for many years in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, where he was a teacher at Cumberland Heights Elementary School and later retired as principal from Ringgold Elementary School. Claus was a member of Clarksville Civitan and Boy Scouts of America.

Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, March 29, at 11:00 AM, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Williamson Memorial Gardens, in Franklin, TN, where full military honors will be rendered. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 28, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, with a Vigil following at 7:00, and Wednesday, March 29, from 9:30 AM until the hour of service, at the church.

A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, March 29, at 5:00 PM, at Beachaven Vineyards and Winery. All friends and family are welcome.

In lieu of flowers or donations, make a new friend and take them to lunch, in remembrance of Claus’ love for friendship.

Arrangements are entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040; (931) 645-6488.