Pastor Hames was born to Franklin and Hattie Hames in Kellyville, OK. He was one of seven children. He attended schools in Sapulpa and started working at an early age at Liberty Glass Co. Claudie married Helen Hames in 1934, and joined the 503rd Regimental Combat Paratroop Division of the Army on February 10, 1944, to serve his country during World War II. He served on Lyte, Corregidor and Negros, in the Philippine Islands. While on the Island of Corregidor, he was wounded by shrapnel with injuries to the spine. He was temporarily paralyzed and spent 59 days in the hospital before returning to battle. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart. His son, Donald, was born in July 1944, while Claudie was serving his country. He returned to Oklahoma and relocated to Taft to work in the oilfields after the war. He worked for Rocky Mt. Drilling Co. On May 13, 1953, he accepted the Lord as his Savior. This began a new life for him and his family. Mr. Hames accepted the call to preach the Gospel of Christ, and within a few months accepted the pastorate of the Lamont Free Will Baptist Church. He moved to Oxnard, CA to pastor the Oxnard Free Will Baptist Church, a position he held for eight years. Pastor Hames came to Bakersfield in July 1964, to pastor the First Free Will Baptist Church. He would pastor this church until his retirement in 2001. Upon his retirement, he became a faithful church member. He also served on the National Home Mission Board of Free Will Baptists during his pastorate. His greatest joy in life was door-knocking, asking people to come and visit the church, and leading someone to the Lord. Pastor Hames was preceded in death by his wife, Helen and the following sisters and brothers, Francis Whitehouse, William Hames, Louise Whitehouse, Barbara Winkle and John F. Hames. He is survived by one loving sister, Betty Schieb of Tulsa, OK; one son, Don Hames and wife, Deanna; and one daughter, Margie Kennedy and husband, Allen. He is also survived by grandchildren, Steve and Gail Hames, Stephanie and Andrew Teixeira, Donna and Chad Wright, Michael and Dianne Kennedy, and Nathan Kennedy. He had nine great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.