(From Bland-Brumback Funeral Home)Ralph Elton Clayton, Jr., 89, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025, at the Missouri Veteran’s Home in Mt. Vernon, MO surrounded by family
Ralph, son of the late Ralph Elsworth Clayton and Edna Fern (Johnson) Clayton, was born on November 24, 1935, in a house that was located where the current football field is in Stockton, Missouri.
Ralph graduated from Stockton High School in 1953. Like previous generations before him, Ralph became a lifelong farmer in Cedar County.
On March 9, 1958, Ralph was united in marriage to Barbara Sue (Chism) Clayton of Dadeville, Missouri, and began a 65-year loving relationship and farming partnership that developed from a simple purchase of three, three-cent stamps that Sue purchased at the Post Office from Ralph. Prior to marriage, Ralph was employed by the U.S. Postal Service. In August of 1958, Uncle Sam and the United States Army came calling and he was drafted. After requesting deferment to stay home and sow a wheat crop, Ralph reported for duty on November 7, 1958. After boot camp, Ralph was stationed in Baumholder, Germany, until being discharged on August 17, 1960. While stationed in Germany, Sue joined him there, and they spent their spare time traveling through several European countries.
After being discharged from the U.S. Army, Ralph returned to his job at U.S. Postal Service in Stockton and remained there for over 36 years until his retirement in 1996. In 1960, Ralph and Sue rented a small farm east of Stockton and established a small dairy farm. Three years later, in October 1963, they purchased their first farm west of Stockton. Over the next several years, Ralph expanded his diversified crop and livestock farm that at one time involved over 800 acres consisting of both owned and rented farmland while working at the Post Office six days a week.
Ralph was a proud father to three children, two sons, Tony, and Todd, and one daughter Terri. He took interest in the activities they were involved with and could be heard from the stands in support, or correcting a referee with a different opinion than he had. He made sure his children had the opportunities that he didn’t have as a child.
Ralph was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Sue; parents Ralph and Edna; sisters Phyllis Noblitt, Barbara Bridges, Donna Smith; grandson Colt Clayton; and nephew Shawn Smith.
Ralph was a member of the Stockton Christian Church and believed in the sanctity of Baptism. He also served as a Deacon.
Ralph is survived by his children, son Tony (Evann) of Jefferson City, MO, son Todd Clayton of Stockton; and daughter Terri (Clayton) Piatchek (Tim) of Springfield, MO. He is also survived by seven grandchildren Callie Bishop (Craig), Carrie Sherer (Blake), Austin Clayton, Issac Clayton, Charity Clayton, Blaise (Amanda) Piatchek and Savannah Piatchek. Four great-grandchildren Adler and Ainsley Bishop, Elizabeth Sherer and Luka Piatchek; sisters Janice Marshall, of Carthage, MO, and Linda Shelton, of Lee’s Summit, MO; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are under the direction of the Bland-Brumback Funeral Home will be held Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Stockton Christian Church with visitation at 12:30 PM with celebration of life service at 2:00 PM. The burial will be at the Stockton Cemetery with Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Stockton Christian Church Youth Programs in memory of Ralph E. Clayton, Jr.
After being discharged from the U.S. Army, Ralph returned to his job at U.S. Postal Service in Stockton and remained there for over 36 years until his retirement in 1996. In 1960, Ralph and Sue rented a small farm east of Stockton and established a small dairy farm. Three years later, in October 1963, they purchased their first farm west of Stockton. Over the next several years, Ralph expanded his diversified crop and livestock farm that at one time involved over 800 acres consisting of both owned and rented farmland while working at the Post Office six days a week.
Ralph was a proud father to three children, two sons, Tony, and Todd, and one daughter Terri. He took interest in the activities they were involved with and could be heard from the stands in support, or correcting a referee with a different opinion than he had. He made sure his children had the opportunities that he didn’t have as a child.
Ralph was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Sue; parents Ralph and Edna; sisters Phyllis Noblitt, Barbara Bridges, Donna Smith; grandson Colt Clayton; and nephew Shawn Smith.
Ralph was a member of the Stockton Christian Church and believed in the sanctity of Baptism. He also served as a Deacon.
Ralph is survived by his children, son Tony (Evann) of Jefferson City, MO, son Todd Clayton of Stockton; and daughter Terri (Clayton) Piatchek (Tim) of Springfield, MO. He is also survived by seven grandchildren Callie Bishop (Craig), Carrie Sherer (Blake), Austin Clayton, Issac Clayton, Charity Clayton, Blaise (Amanda) Piatchek and Savannah Piatchek. Four great-grandchildren Adler and Ainsley Bishop, Elizabeth Sherer and Luka Piatchek; sisters Janice Marshall, of Carthage, MO, and Linda Shelton, of Lee’s Summit, MO; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are under the direction of the Bland-Brumback Funeral Home will be held Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Stockton Christian Church with visitation at 12:30 PM with celebration of life service at 2:00 PM. The burial will be at the Stockton Cemetery with Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Stockton Christian Church Youth Programs in memory of Ralph E. Clayton, Jr.
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