John C. Clayton Sr.

John Charles Clayton, Sr., 68, of Fort Smith, died October 27, 2011 in Ruidoso, New Mexico. He was born April 2, 1943 in Fort Smith to Norvelle William and Lucille Dixon Clayton. He was a graduate of Fort Smith High School and he was the President of Clayton Consulting and Welding in Fort Smith. He was the Chief Instructor of the Arkansas Valley Karate Academy, and held a Roku-dan (sixth degree Black Belt), and he was inducted into the International Karate Hall of Fame in 1989. He was a member of the Mercy Cycling Club and John was a generous sponsor to hundreds of charities and sporting events.

He is survived by his wife Jody of the Home; one daughter, Cynthia Davis and husband Riker of Ruidoso, New Mexico; one son, John C. Clayton, Jr, of Fort Smith; step daughter Ms. Kim Lee of Fort Smith; step son, Randy Lee and wife Heather of Fort Smith; three sisters, Judith Mack of Barling, Sherry Nelson and husband Norman of Fort Smith, and Pamela Bowman and husband Charlie of Charleston, AR; three brothers, Norvelle William “Buddy" Clayton, Jr. of Fort Smith, Gerald D. Clayton and wife Bonnie of Fort Smith, and James D. Clayton and wife Gail of Greenwood, AR; grandchildren, John C. “Tra” Clayton, III, Zachary Clayton, Tucker Davis and Delaney Davis, Brittney Lee Wilbanks and husband Kyle, Rachel Lee, MaeLynn and Miranda Lee. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Della and Charles E. Clayton and Gilbert and Minnie Dixon; daughter in law Lisa Clayton; and brother, Robert J. Clayton.

Funeral service will be Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 10:00 AM in the East Side Baptist Church in Fort Smith with Private burial to follow the service all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Charlie Bowman, Jeffrey Mack, Dewayne Feimster, Joe Young, Danie Humphrey, and William Burcham.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Dan McGuire, Phillip Knight, Woody Bond, Billy Haga, Randy Irvin, Daniel Taft, Doug Blood, Scott McGuire, and Bobby Crabtree.

The family will greet friends in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday evening from 5-7 PM. There will be a luncheon reception in the Fort Smith Pavilion following the funeral service from 12-2 PM

Memorials may be made to a Children’s Charity of your choice.

To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com