Our community is heartbroken to learn of the loss of Dick Clayton, who died on October 8th 2004 after a long illness. His last days were spent in great comfort at home, at times enjoying the serenity of his backyard, surrounded by his wife, loving family, and in the wonderful care of a hospice team.

Dick was 86 and 1/2 and had spent the last 23 and 1/2 years in a wonderful relationship with Martha, traveling to beautiful spots camping and hiking and eventually in the "lap of luxury" of a motor home. One thing Martha could count on when traveling with Dick was that if anything went wrong, he could fix it! He loved the outdoors, his time at the Y, and he loved fixing things.

God must have needed a few things repaired and thank goodness Dick is on hand now to lend a helping hand. We shall all miss Dick's warm smile.

Dick did not want a memorial service, but we invite you to share your memories of Dick here through our web site. We'll add your messages to this page, and print them out later for Martha and the family.

Click here to send a message.

Dick was a good friend and I will miss him. He was a pilot in WWII and we used to spend hours swapping war stories. He was a good story teller and had an inexhaustible supply of tales to tell. Early in WWII he ferried fighter and other planes across the Atlantic to the Russians via the Mediterranean and had some harrowing and some anusing experiences with the Russians. Martha was always a very patient listener when we were engrossed in storytelling.

After the war he became a commercial pilot mainly flying across the Pacific. When he retired from flying, he set up a hardware store in Mountain View, but sold it after a few years. With his son-in-law he started construction of an airplane in the garage of his home in Los Altos Hills. The plane was almost, but not quite, ready to take to the air.

Martha was a wonderful companion to Dick and they enjoyed their lives together and their vacation home in the Sierras with their families both in summer and winter.
I will miss Dick, but will remember him and his stories forever.

Bob Soderman

We remember having dinner with the Claytons, shortly before Dick's 70th birthday. He was very excited because at age 70 he could get FREE ski lift tickets. He was athletic and strong, well into his 80's.


Mary Lois and Lynn Comesky

Martha, and the Clayton Family:

I remember in particular a Giants game I attended with Dick, when he and Bob Soderman recounted stories of the war, and Dick spoke of the airplane he had made--of which he was so proud. It was obvious how he was man so full of vitality and wisdom.

We mourn with you his passing from us.

Peace,

Jeff Vamos

Martha and Jan and other family members--

We remember and celebrate Dick's enthusiasm for life, airplanes, travel, and vigorous activity. He was a great model of how to grow older gracefully. A good storyteller, he was also a good listener (a rare combination)!

Our love to you. Sarah and Dick

I cherish the memory of Dick's very good natured engagement with life, his vitality, his long experience, and his wonderful relationship wtih Martha. I was very touched to see him at Prime Timers this past June when I spoke, as well as when I visited him in August and he was so gracious. Our hearts go out to you, Martha, and to all the family, and we will hold you there as we continue our remembering.

Our love to you--Judy Dunbar

Dear Martha and family, I extend our sympathy to you and your family on behalf of myself and Ed.

--- Gail Thompson