Charlie Case Tire Owner Claude Case Dies

Claude Case, longtime owner of Phoenix, Ariz.-based Charlie Case Tire Co., recently died at the age of 83.

Born to Nancy Harper Case and Charlie Case, he graduated from Princeton University in 1964 and served in the Peace Corps, before serving as math teacher in Massachusetts.

He took a job with General Electric and returned to Phoenix with his wife, Susan. His father, Charlie Case, who founded Charlie Case Tire in 1945, asked Claude and his brothers to work at the family business.

"Claude liked to describe himself as a 'simple merchant,'" according to his obituary. "However, he was anything but. He computerized the company at a time when the use of computers in small business was extremely rare and his attention to detail in controlling costs, developing relationships with customers and suppliers, pricing and navigating through a difficult competitive environment was exemplary."

Charlie Case Tire was eventually acquired by AM-PAC Tire Distributors Inc., a business unit of Itochu International, in 2001. At the time, Charlie Case Tire had retail stores in Phoenix, Tuscon and Casa Grande, Ariz., and El Paso, Texas, and operated five wholesale warehouses in Phoenix; Tuscon; Las Vegas, Nev.; Albuquerque, N.M.; and El Paso.

Preceded by his parents and brother, Michael Case, Claude is survived by his wife, Susan; his children Sarah Case, Andrew Case and Katharine Case; their respective spouses and partners Jay Carlander, Claudia Wilsch Case and Noel Mauricio Salgado; grandchildren Julia and Katharine Carlander and David and Helen Case; and his brother, Chuck Case. 

Remembrances can be sent to the Santa Barbara Foundation or Dignity Moves.