Obituary of Curtis W. Clayton

Crossville, TN – Curtis W. Clayton, 81, of Crossville, TN passed away on Monday, October 16, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Perth Amboy, NJ on February 18, 1936 to the late Curtis and Luella (Runyon) Clayton. In 1953 he graduated from Freehold High School in Freehold, NJ. He married Marcella Smith on June 19, 1955. They were married for 58 years until her passing in 2014. Curt was employed by his father-in-law as the manager of the family owned business, Smith’s Liquor Store, in Freehold for over 17 years. Curt was a talented lifetime Master Carpenter creating beautiful finish work with his cabinetry. He started his own carpentry business, Custom Woodworking, with Robert Statesir until he and Marcella moved to Monmouth, ME with their family in 1978. He retired as a Master Carpenter from the State of Maine. Curt and Marcella moved to Hudson, FL then to finally reside in Crossville, TN. They were parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Fairfield Glade, TN. Curt loved to stay active. He enjoyed the outdoors, including hunting, fishing, listening to the loons on the lake, football, Harley rides with family and friends and his gardening. He played for the Crossville Senior Softball Association until he became ill this year. His team, aged 75+, were the Tennessee state champs in 2011. Curt especially loved spending time with his family and friends. Curt is survived by his five children, Scott Clayton and his wife, Claire of Ocean City, NJ; Ray Clayton and Lynn Towne of Windham, ME; Kileen (Clayton) Scott and her husband, Dale of No. Monmouth, ME; Kenny Clayton and his wife, Christine of Scarborough, ME; Janice (Clayton) Bednarz and her husband, Michael of Glen Cove, NY; his cousin Eleanor White of Florida; his companion Joan Preston of Gray, ME; seventeen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Besides his parents and wife, he was predeceased by a daughter, Maureen; and his brother, Ronald Clayton of Fairfield, CT. There will be a mass at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold on November 6th at 10:00 AM. Immediately following the mass will be the interment service at St. Rose of Lima’s Cemetery on Throckmorton Street, Freehold. There will be a mass at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Crossville, TN on Nov. 29 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold is in charge of arrangements.