Obituaries » James Clayton

Check your settings when you are happy with your print preview press the print icon below.

Show Obituaries Show Guestbook Show Photos QR Code printer Print

James Clayton

March 31, 1944 - November 3, 2019

Jay Clayton

Visitation: Wednesday, November 6, 2019 from 4-7 PM at the Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home

Obituary Viewed 4978 times

Posted by:
Eric Vreeland

Posted on:
November 9, 2019

In my teen years, Jay Clayton was a mentor. Someone who encouraged me to think critically, boldly. He helped me feel confident and, through drawing, strengthen my voice. He gave guidance and insisted on discipline, but he had that great teaching instinct of allowing his students to chart their own course. He supported, nourished and encouraged but did not commandeer or dictate. We thrived on autonomy and respect. My senior year, the art student triumvirate was Roy McDonald, me and the amazing Dan Prater. It always meant a lot to me that Mr. Clayton - I was in my 40s before it felt natural to call him “Jay” - kept a drawing of mine on the wall in his home. It was a series of panels, distantly reminiscent of Lichtenstein, or at least that was my hope. And it was partly intended to be a tribute and a thank you to him for his invaluable and timely influence on me. At the time, I’d just read Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness,” still one of my all-time favorites. In the drawing, I quoted Conrad’s Russian trader, alluding to Jay. "I tell you," he cried, "this man has enlarged my mind." Thank you for changing my life in so many ways, my old friend.

Posted by:
Connie Ross

Posted on:
November 6, 2019

On to your next journey Mr. Clayton. Thank you for helping to secure in a much much younger me, a love of art and for sharing your hiking stories. You will always be one of my favorite teachers from my formative years at Hillsboro.

Posted by:
Kathy GOTTSCHALK Berry

Posted on:
November 5, 2019

Mr. Clayton was a very passionate art teacher & art historian. I took his classes every year in high school. I enjoyed his classes!! You will be missed sir!!!

Posted by:
Ellen schutte

Posted on:
November 5, 2019

Jay taught our children in high school and was an excellent teacher and a good friend. He ate many meals at our home in his young years.

Posted by:
Frank Schultz

Posted on:
November 5, 2019

Jay Clayton was an amazingly strong individual having held some Missouri Powerlifting records for his size. He also had outstanding talents in art and pottery. Jay Clayton was a lover of the arts and appreciated people and life. Jay gave generously to the Hillsboro R-3 Schools and the Hillsboro Food Pantry among many others. Jay Clayton, you are greatly missed.