James "Jimmy" Edward Clayton Sr.

James (Jimmy, Jim, Poppa) Edward Clayton Sr. was born on March 13th 1939 to Robert Earl Clayton and Viola Mae (nee Cook).

He is proceeded in death by his parents, Robert Earl and Viola Clayton, three brothers, Robert Earl Clayton Jr., Richard Leon Clayton, & Carl Frank Clayton.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marcia Elaine (nee Richards), their three children, James Edward Clayton Jr., Jody J Clayton (Shirl), Jamie Evelyn Clayton and three grandsons, John Andrew Clayton (Christy, Levi, Lucas), Jordan Evan Clayton (Michelle, Henry) and Jonah Richards Clayton-Lomax. He was a favorite uncle to 20 nieces and nephews and 49 great nieces and nephews.

Jimmy was born in Franklin, New Jersey at a time the country was pulling out of the depression and entering into WWII. Due to an early spring snowstorm (44 inches) he was born at home (which also kept the town doctor snowed in their house for four days)!

His father retired from Hardyston Township School where he never missed a single day of work. His mother was no stranger to hard work and held various jobs during his youth, his favorite being at Ogdensburg Hotel where she made “the best pizzas and sub sandwiches”!

The house he lived in was built by his mom and grandfather (John Andrew Cook). This was during a period of time where you could not buy lumber. The wood for their home came from the Brooklyn Navy Yard where old ships were dissembled. The year they moved in, the weather boards were not installed and so it was not uncommon for it to snow in the house. It was the same year they burned 27 tons of coal. The street was Franklin/Ogdensburg Road, better known as Beardsley Hill. He had very fond memories of growing up in the home that his grandfather and mother built.

In his youth, he took home more than 150 deer. He started hunting at a very early age and it was on one outing at the age of 12 with his brothers, he encountered a cute little red-haired girl named Marcia who was hunting with her father (George Francis Richards). Her father told her they were a “bunch of outlaws”! She thought he was a “squirt” and didn’t care for him. He loved her red hair.

His family was not a “church going” family but, follow her there he did! At the age of 16, he saw his future in her and accepted Jesus into his heart and was baptized at First Presbyterian Church in Ogdensburg, NJ. Five years later, their youth pastor would marry them.

Jimmy graduated Franklin High School in 1957. It will come as no surprise to those who knew and loved him, he was nominated as the “class clown”. He was well endeared to the faculty and principal and not because of his academics! It has been told that his mother had a wonderful sense of humor and this has been evident in the generations that followed her. While still in high school, Jim enrolled in the US Army and entered boot camp the summer after graduation but, not before becoming engaged to his sweetheart, Marcia.

Post boot camp he was based in Germany for two years where he and Marcia wrote each other every day. In his letters to her, he wrote of his desire to have 3 children and wrote of his plans to raise them in the church. Once he completed his tour, he returned home where he and Marcia were married on Aug 1st 1959.

Together, they followed his oldest brother south and these two Yankees found themselves living in Memphis, TN where he worked with Binswanger Glass Company, Berretta Acoustic Company, W R Naylor Construction and retired as a self-employed estimator. He was very well respected in his industry and was known for his honesty and fairness. He lived his entire life with the same work ethic that was demonstrated by his parents and grandparents.

After moving to Memphis, it wasn’t too long before his family grew. They settled in Parkway Village and found a church home in St. James United Methodist Church. Those years were filled with United Methodist Men, coaching women’s softball, baseball, softball, basketball practice, ushering, a MYF counselor, Appalachian Service Projects, Boy Scout Cub Master (troop 247) ~ if the church doors were open, he was usually there, helping in any capacity (when he was not pranking the ministers). The friendships rooted in those early years resulted in countless camping trips, vacations, celebrations and rooting on the Memphis State Tigers! Because of his faith and vision he had for his family, lifelong friendships were formed that are still very present today – those we call our chosen family.

Jim & Marcia retired to the Little Red River in Heber Springs, AR where (when not fishing) he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, served on the board for Heber Springs Humane Society, drove the school bus for Community School of Cleburne County (a non-profit for children with developmental disabilities) and delivered Meals on Wheels for 12 years. He was a member of Heber Springs United Methodist Church where with his Sunday School he helped develop a program called “Breaking Bread” to feed those in their community who were in need. They fed up to 400 a week at its peak. He enjoyed his retirement years immensely and only returned to the Memphis area to be nearer to family as age will demand and to be closer to more advanced healthcare. He quickly reunited with his beloved Crossroads UMC (formerly St. James UMC and now Peace Tree UMC). Even as he began to slow down, he still liked to keep busy and began researching how to make rings out of quarters. Last count he had made and handed out over 300 quarter rings! On one trip to the hospital, one of his nurses has his quarter ring on his hospital badge lanyard!

Jimmy LOVED attention and making others laugh. He was very quick witted and could ease the tension in a room with ease. That being said, if you were ever speeding anywhere near him, you were a “wise-ass” in his book!

He LOVED his “Marsh” and was very devoted to her. It was not uncommon for him to be in the hospital and worried about her. He could not have been prouder of his grandchildren. He reveled in their successes. If you ever spoke with him, it was not too long before he would brag on John Andrew’s calling, Jordan’s business and Jonah’s successes. We could not have asked for a better husband, father, grandfather, Uncle and friend. He will be well remembered and greatly missed all our remaining days.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, April 3, 2022 at 3:00 pm with visitation beginning at 1:00 pm at Peace Tree United Methodist Church, 9315 E Shelby Dr. Collierville, TN 38017. In lieu of flowers donations to Heber Springs, AR Humane Society: 49 Shelter Lane or P.O. Box 401 Heber Springs, AR 72543

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brantleyfuneral.com for the Clayton family.