CLAYTON, JR., James T. (Jim)

The Payson Roundup, Payson, Arizona, Friday, January 09, 2015 James T. Clayton, Jr. February 22, 1938 - December 31, 2014 James T. Clayton, Jr., age 76, passed away at home in Payson on Dec. 31, 2014. Born Feb. 22, 1938 in Brockville, Ontario, Canada, Jim was the only child of the late James and Marguerite Clayton. On June 2, 1959, Jim married the love of his life, Carla DeKoeyer. Along with Carla, Jim moved from Huron, Ohio to Payson 10 years ago. Jim’s career in food service began in Ohio working for Lever Bros., then Green Giant and eventually with food broker A. W. Fodor (now Louis F. Leeper Co.) where he rose to become vice-president and partner. While in Ohio, Jim was president of AGMR (Associated Grocers Manufacturers Representatives) and the “Santa’s Little Helpers” where he helped the underprivileged at Christmas. He was also a long-time member of the Mayo Smith Society, the Detroit Tigers’ fan club. In Payson from 2007 to 2012, Jim’s smiling face was well-known at Bashas’ and Safeway where he worked for Pro DemoWorks offering food samples to customers. Jim also served as a board member of the Woodland Meadows where he and Carla lived for 10 years. Jim loved people, selling, and food, and had the perfect career for 40 years in food service. Jim’s family is most appreciative for the care Jim received from Dr. Alan Michels and Dr. Lawrence Kasper. They made Jim’s journey much easier. In addition to his adored wife of 55 years, Carla, Jim is survived by sons, Christopher J., James T., III; daughter, Kelly Clayton Ott (Mark); five grandchildren, Jacky Nash Price (Josh), Brianna Ott, Carissa Ott, Abby Clayton and Jacob Clayton; and one great-grandson, Elijah David Price. Services for Jim will be held in Ohio in the summer of 2015. For those wanting to honor Jim’s memory, contributions to the Payson Senior Center (www.paysonseniorcenter.org), 514 W. Main St., Payson, AZ 85541 are encouraged.