Obituary of John A. Clayton, Sr.

John A. Clayton Sr. also known as “Sonny” to family and friends, was born to the late Naomi Clayton on June 18, 1931. He was an only child.

John attended Zion Elementary and A.T. Johnson High School.

John A. Clayton Sr. married Grace E. Newman on January 11, 1949, in West Moreland County, Virginia. Seven children were born from this union.

John started off as a Sharecropper. He then moved on to work at a sawmill. John moved to Baltimore, MD. in 1952, where he worked at a lumber company. Next moving to Ambler, PA., he farmed several different crops. He then was employed in Blue Bell, PA at a wallpaper company. In 1959 after moving to Pottstown, PA., John gained employment at Doehler – Jarvis. There he started in Piece Work and then advanced to Time Study Management. He retired from Doehler – Jarvis for health reasons in 1977. Affectionately known as “The Old Man” to many, he had a passion for drag racing and fast cars. John was a gifted mechanic and builder. This passion led to him having his own auto garage in Anchorage, Alaska.

John was a strong man who worked with his hands but found joy in matters of the mind. He loved to stump his children and grandchildren with countless brain teasers. He happily shared his vast wisdom that he gained through the decades. God gifted John with the ability to build and do anything. Understandably, his friends called him “MacGyver”. He built a phenomenal family legacy for all who loved him.

John was preceded in death, by his mother Naomi Clayton and his oldest son, John A. Clayton Jr.

John is survived by his wife of 75 years, Grace E. Clayton, Georgiann Clayton-Lyon, Christeen Clayton-Williams, Larry O. (Alberta) Clayton, Francis C. (Sharon) Clayton, Frankie C. Clayton, Terry A. Clayton, Roberta P. Clayton, 3 Foster Children: Henry, Rochelle (Boggs) and Mathhew Harris; a host of grandchildren and other family members and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to the Funeral Service at Second Baptist Church, 507 North Adams Street, Pottstown, PA  19464 on Monday, July 29, 2024 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Roland H. Anderson II officiating.  A viewing will be held in the church on Monday morning from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM.  

Interment will take place in Limerick Garden of Memories.