Bobby Reams Clayton

He was predeceased by his parents Annie Lee Elder Clayton and Chesley Cecil Clayton, Sr., and his brothers Chesley Cecil Clayton Jr., Garland Lee Clayton, and his son Bobby Reams Clayton, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Esther Shippey Clayton, his children Diane Waldrip, Jan Pagratis, Tom Clayton, Lorraine Haataia, and his many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bobby was athletic his whole life, winning the FSHAA 100-yard dash for Miami High School. He ran track for the University of Miami until he joined the Navy where he served in Norfolk, VA, flying maritime patrol missions. He served during the Korean war. He later moved to South Florida and began his career with the Federal department of HUD. After retiring from HUD, he started his own appraisal business. Years later, he retired to spend more time at his second home on Powder Horn Mountain in North Carolina. He loved to compete, remaining active playing tennis, church softball, and participating in the Senior Olympics, and bowling. He was a faithful man who served as a Deacon at Southside Baptist Church (aka Aspire) and sang in the choir for many years. He loved his church family.

Bobby was always involved in charities, giving and taking part in delivering Meals on Wheels. He is one of the co-founders of the Jacksonville Woodworkers Club, which donates thousands of handmade wooden toys to children each year.

He has always enjoyed the outdoors and tending to his garden. But most of all, Bobby’s true love and passion was watching over his family and spending time with his grandchildren. He was always a gentle, yet strong man with kind words. He will be missed and loved all.

A visitation for Bobby will be held Wednesday, November 2, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 11:00 AM, interment will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Community Hospice of North Florida on Sunbeam Road in Jacksonville, Florida.