Obituary of Russell Dwayne Clayton

Russell D. Clayton Russell Dwayne “Russ” Clayton, 84, was born April 27, 1932, in Bloomfield. He is the son of Wesley “Mike” and Alma Mabel (Augspurger) Clayton. Russ was a graduate of the Bloomfield Senior High, Class of 1950; he went on to receive his BSE in 1957 from Kirksville State Teachers College (Truman State University), and a Master’s Degree in Education in 1969. On January 12, 1952, Russ was united in marriage with Velda Imogene Hammons, in Bloomfield. He taught school for 40 years: 1952-55 Lewis County R-1 Schools in Steffenville, MO; 1955-59 in Denmark, IA, as 7th & 8th grade basketball coach, and acting principal; 1959-64 at Newton Central Junior High, 1964-92 at B.C. Berg Junior High, where he was one of the original teachers when the school was built. He retired in 1992 as the social studies teacher and several years as girls’ basketball coach. Russ was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church, and enjoyed stamp collecting, traveling to 48 states, plus Mexico, Canada and the British Isles. Russ was very active in community activities through the church, the school, Jasper County Retired School Teachers Association, Scouting, Special Olympics, Jasper County Historical Museum, Chamber of Commerce (as Santa on the Square from 1992-2006), Good Sam Club and Golden “K” Kiwanis. Russ passed from this life on Tuesday morning, August 9, 2016, at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. Russ is survived by his wife Velda; his sons: Kevin (Suzanne) Clayton and Kenneth (Sue) Clayton; grandchildren: Betsy Clayton (Ryan) Provin, Kathryn “Kit” Clayton and Josh Fuessley; great-grandchildren Graclynn Renae Provin; Gavin Russell Dean, Remington Grace Provin and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. A time of remembrance and celebration of life services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 15, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church in Newton. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the services, with a lunch and fellowship time following the services. Pence – Reese Funeral Home in Newton has been entrusted with the arrangements. Interment in the Newton Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left in Russ' name to Jasper County Museum or a charity of your choosing.