Woodward County Obituary
Cedardale Cemetery

Lawrence Ira Clayton

Born: January 23, 1935 - Died: October 17, 2015

© SHAW-REDINGER FUNERAL HOMES
VICI, DEWEY CO, OK
(permission granted)
Submitted by: Ann Weber

Graveside services:
Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 10:30 am
Cedardale Cemetery in rural Woodward COunty

Lawrence Ira Clayton, 80 year old Chester, Oklahoma resident, passed from this life on October 17, 2015 in his home. Lawrence was born on January 23, 1935 to Ira and Maude (Highfill) Clayton at their home in Georgetown, Oklahoma, he was the youngest of four children. He grew up on the family farm in Georgetown, Oklahoma. At the age of 12, Lawrence was baptized at the First Christian Church and later graduated high school at Richmond School with the class of 1953. On October 4, 1953 at the Woodward County Court House, he married the love of his life and his high school sweetheart Wanda Louise Coulson with both their parents’ in attendance and with their blessings, as Lawrence and Wanda were not legally old enough to get married without their permission. The ceremonies were performed on the exact date and place as Wanda’s parents wedding, a suggestion made by Wanda’s mother so her parents could remember their wedding anniversary. To this union three children were born Susan, Larry, and Kevin.

Lawrence and Wanda made their first home in Wakeeney, Kansas then in 1955 moved to Yukon, Oklahoma where Lawrence worked for Sunderland Lumber in Oklahoma City. In 1968 Lawrence and family moved to the Chester area where he has resided for the remainder of his life.

Lawrence was always a very hard worker. In 1956 he started working for Yukon Lumber as a yard hand and through his hard work and dedication rose through the ranks becoming their bookkeeper and then on up to the assistant manager. Lawrence was always an entrepreneur and had a knack for running a business and in 1968 he opened his own business Clayton Lumber and Service in Chester, Oklahoma. Lawrence loved working with wood and had a talent for figuring lumber yardage in his head. He built several homes in the Seiling Chester area and started the North Park addition. He also built the Crossroads Motel in Seiling. In 1986 Larry and Kevin took over the business.

Lawrence purchased a farm and built a house and started raising alfalfa hay and cattle. In his later years he started running a contract mail route for the United States Postal Service delivering to rural areas and towns. Come rain, snow, sleet, or shine Lawrence always made sure everyone got their mail. On August 11, 2011, Lawrence had surgery for an aneurysm and had an allergic reaction to the iodine which caused his kidneys to shut down. For four years he received dialysis traveling 3 days a week to Woodward for treatment.

Lawrence had many hobbies. He loved fishing, hunting, woodworking, playing cards, farming, and raising cattle. He also loved raising a garden where he would feed the multitudes by giving away his produce. His hands were always busy and he passed this quality on to his children and grandchildren. Lawrence will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He was not a veteran but he was a true American and lived the American dream. His advice was invaluable.

Preceding Lawrence in death are his parents Ira and Maude Clayton; two brothers Lyle Clayton and Omer Clayton; and daughter-in-law Pattie (Evans) Clayton.

Left to carry on his legacy are his wife of the home Wanda Clayton of Chester, OK; daughter Susan Burton and husband Jody of Woodward, OK, two sons Larry Clayton and wife Rebecca of Chester, OK, Kevin Clayton and wife Michele of Chester, OK; special friends Orville White, Isidro Rivas, Dr. VJ, Janet Haskins, and all the dialysis nurses and Rebecca Sander; 8 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.