Fosnaught-Holdship Funeral Home
http://www.holdshipfuneralhomes.com
Claude Stanley Pollington of Marion passed away on Friday, December 2, 2024.
Claude was born February 10, 1931, in Falmouth Michigan to William and Susie Pollington. Claude was a renowned figure, recognized for his innovative mind, all-American grit, and entrepreneurial drive. At 18 years old, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, but returned home early due to the death of his father. He married Patricia Milligan on March 25, 1950. Together the couple had seven children. Claude founded Pollington Machine Tool in his garage in 1966, after beginning his career as a machinist in the early 1950s. Today, Pollington Machine Tool has evolved into a major enterprise, machining parts for a variety of industries including automotive, solar, aviation, sporting goods and a variety of other industries.
Claude had a lifelong passion for Whitetail deer hunting and was recognized as a pioneer in the sport - earning him the legacy title of "The Whitetail Wizard". He was featured in many publications including World Bowhunter Magazine and Sports Afield. He is credited with innovating the internal red-dot bow sight technology that helped hunters with poor vision become better shots and turned typical hunters into aces. After his wife Patricia died in 1979, he married Ruth Ann Orvis, who shared his passion for hunting and hosting, and they spent 40 years together, until her time of passing in 2021. Despite national notoriety and yearly hunting expeditions in Colorado, Claude's favorite place was home, where he established Buck Pole Archery and Deer Ranch on his property north of Marion, one of the state's first deer enclosures. The ranch became a frequent stop for a variety of sportsmen including rock legend, Ted Nugent, and former Detroit News journalist, Dave Richey. In 2008, Claude acquired Oneida Eagle Bows and moved the headquarters from upstate New York to Marion, adding his initials to the company's name. For seven years, C.P. Oneida built and sold bows for archery to customers worldwide before selling to Bass Pro Shops in 2015. As an entrepreneur and inventor, Claude's legacy reflects his adventurous spirit, but that's not what his grandchildren will remember most. They recall he was never too busy to attend their Christmas programs, take them for a drive around the ranch, show them how to feed fawns from a bottle, pull a wiggly tooth (whether they wanted it or not), or watch an episode of Gunsmoke.
He is survived by his children, Craig (Cynda) Pollington, Shelley Miller, Penny (Chuck) Miller, Joy Pollington, and Matt (Peggy) Pollington all of Marion; step-children, Joann (Mike) Westfield, and Rory Orvis, also of Marion; his grandchildren, Sara (Jose) Romero, Will (Anna) Pollington, Shawn (Aimee) Richards, Ross (Dana) Richards, Amber (Kyle) Brandt, Lacey (Jon) McMahon, Olivia (Scott) Fitzpatrick, Brook (Todd Bruggema) Pollington, Jeff (Emily) Miller, Chase Miller, Jennifer (San) Lee, James (Erika) Hilliker, Heather (Paul) Poco, Jared Spaulding, Hunter Pollington and Natalie Pollington; step-grandchildren, Katie Hassevort- Haan, Russell (Nicole) Hassevort, Dale Orvis, and Jimmy Orvis; one remaining sibling, his brother, Lyle Pollington; and nearly 50 great and great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by daughters, Dana (Larry Richards) and Dawn (Ron Spaulding), step-son, Dale Orvis, grandson, Justin Spaulding, as well as wife, Patricia Pollington (1979), and wife, Ruth Ann Pollington (2021), also including his parents, four brothers, and four sisters.
There will be a showing at Fosnaught-Holdship Funeral Home in Marion on Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will follow at the Olde Mill Venue starting at 3 p.m.
Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.Fosnaught-Holdship.com.
The family is being served by Fosnaught-Holdship Funeral Home.
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