Tommy Martin Clayton

Tommy Martin Clayton left this life January 28, 2018. He was born August 27, 1930, in Hughes, Arkansas. He graduated salutatorian and football captain from Cedar Bayou High School when he was 16, graduated from Lon Morris College, then Sam Houston State College at 19 with a B.S. in Accounting, the University of Houston with an MBA; he then earned his CPA. A U.S. Army veteran, he worked for Diamond Alkali/Diamond Shamrock/OxyChem for 36 years, retiring in 1991 as CFO (Controller) for Occidental Chemical’s 2 local plants.

Tommy’s roots are deep in this area, having lived in Baytown from age 5 until 1995, his bay home in Beach City until 2015 and then MRC The Crossings in League City. Tommy was a devoted 79 year member of Cedar Bayou Grace United Methodist Church, serving in many capacities including the administrative board and was finance chairman for many years. He worked tirelessly for 7 years as project chairman and laborer to restore Alexander Chapel which was organized in 1844. The first church building was built in 1847, the second in 1857 and the current one in 1884.

Tommy was a great story-teller, entertaining his grandchildren with elaborate, detailed, imaginative tales. He was a voracious reader, but never read fiction. Remembering most of what he read, he could discuss a vast variety of topics. His children delighted in trying to ask him questions he couldn’t answer; they seldom succeeded. He enjoyed maps and knew much about our world. He loved history, endlessly reading books on the World Wars and Texas History. Traveling to several states to do research in their libraries before the arrival of computers, he prepared a thorough genealogy of his family. He was wise and insightful, always thought before he spoke and was very much a gentleman.

Tommy is survived by his wife of 41 years, Rebecca “Becky” Lewis Clayton; sons and daughters-in-law, Martin and Karrie Clayton and their children Sam, Karen and Redza Shah, and Kathryn and Melanie and Chris Bowland and their children, and Bruce and Janna Clayton, and their children Tyler and Brandon; and daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca “Becky” and Kevin Engelbert and their children, John, Luke and Rachel. He is also survived by his sisters and brother-in-law, Patricia Deckert and Carolyn and Emmitt Waugh; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. John and Kathryn Lewis; and uncle, Joseph D. Slater and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 22 years, Gladys Brooks Clayton; parents, Tom M. and Inez Slater Clayton; and brother, Shelly.

His family will receive friends at Navarre Funeral Home Friday, February 2, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at the Alexander Chapel located behind Cedar Bayou Grace United Methodist Church, 2714 Ferry Road, Baytown, TX 77520 at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 3, 3018, with Rev. John Newsome officiating. Interment will follow at adjacent Cedarcrest Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Tyler Clayton, Brandon Clayton, John Engelbert, R.D. Burnside, Tim Duree, and Danny Koons. Honorary pallbearer is Jimmy Epperson.

In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions may be made to Cedar Bayou Grace United Methodist Church (above), the Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org/donate) or the American Cancer Society (cancer.org).

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.