Martin Terry Clayton (Terry, to all who knew him) passed away at home in Grass
Valley, California, with his family by his side on January 20, 2022. He was 88.
Terry was born on August 24, 1933, in Maywood, California, to Charles and
Daisy (Stigall) Clayton. He was the youngest of seven children. They moved to
Grants Pass, Oregon, when he was a child, where he spent his formative years.
At Grants Pass High School, he met his true love, Norma Losee. They married in
1952, shortly after finishing high school, and enjoyed 69 years of marriage.
Terry enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War, trained in California, and
served in Hawaii, Mississippi, and New Mexico. He was proud of his own
military service and always respected and supported those in uniform. Terry and
Norma frequently spoke fondly of their time spent in Hawaii, where their
daughter Judy was born. After the Air Force, they moved to Anaheim, where
Terry worked for J C Penney. Their son Marty was born during this time. They
lived in Pasadena for a while before settling in Orange, CA, for about 30 years,
where Terry became a real estate broker. He joined with 3 friends to form Orange
Associates Realtors and helped many people buy and sell homes in the City of
Orange. Their third child, Scott, was born in Orange. Upon retiring, they moved
to Wildomar, California. Later, they moved to the Grass Valley/Nevada City area
in Northern California. Terry & Norma were longtime members of First United
Methodist Church of Orange and, in later years, attended First Baptist Church of
Grass Valley. His favorite hymn, which often brought tears to his eyes, was the
Old Rugged Cross.
A memorial celebration of his life was held with 23 family members present on
January 22. We shared many wonderful memories of his life and legacy. He
loved and adored his wife and served her faithfully and patiently throughout their
life together. We remember his love, prayers and generosity for his family, his
wife, children and their spouses, his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He
always put the needs and desires of others before his own. He taught us the
value of hard work, responsibility, thankfulness, generosity, keeping your word
and punctuality.
Terry‘s personality was such that everybody he met instantly became a friend.
He was known for his kindness and genuine smile. Terry participated with his
children in Indian Guides (now called YMCA Adventure Guides). He was involved
in Toastmasters, the Orange Board of Realtors and Shriners. His children were
blessed by his devotion to family. They remember him reading the Sunday
funnies to them in bed, taking them to church, breakfasts cooked at the park,
boating, camping and family vacations to Oregon. Whenever the family
gathered, he paid special attention to each one, children and adults alike. He
taught them to use their God-given abilities and not be afraid to try something
new. Prayers at meal time always included blessings requested for children,
grandchildren, great grandchildren and for “our country”.
For their 25th wedding anniversary, they purchased a fixer-upper in Orange. The
entire family participated in repairs and painting. The house was sold for just
enough profit to purchase a boat, the “Silver C”, which provided countless hours
of family togetherness on the ocean. They especially loved to fish.
Terry is survived by his wife, Norma, children Judy (and Mark) Richey, of Nevada
City, Marty (and Anita) Clayton, of Orange and Scott Clayton, of Carlsbad, six
grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his
parents, four brothers and two sisters.