Jack Cyrus Clayton

Jack Cyrus “Uncle Jack” Clayton, of Fort Worth, 90 years of age, passed away Thursday, September 17, 2015. Jack was born November 18, 1924 in Bryson, Texas to Cyrus P. Clayton and Minnie Clendenen Clayton, pioneer settlers of Jack County, Texas. The Clayton family came to Texas from Alabama, and Jack’s father was born in Bryson in 1882. Jack served in the U.S. Navy for three years during World War II, assigned to the U.S.S. Alpine, a ship that transported troops for five major battles in the Pacific theater, included Guam, Leyte and Okinawa. His ship was hit twice by Japanese Kamikaze pilots, and the crew was awarded five battle stars. After the war, Jack entered Texas Christian University and earned a degree in business administration. He was employed as a salesman for various companies until starting Clayton Mobile Homes. He was also co-owner and manager of Mitchell-Goodwin Lumber Company. He had interests in the Clayton Ranch in Jack and Palo Pinto Counties and the Forester Ranch in Denton County. In his later years, he was active in the Oil & Gas business and had interests in several companies along with nephew Joe Skiles, Jr. of Denton and partner Ron Jackson of Wichita Falls. Jack was a charter member of Westcliff Methodist Church, now Arborlawn United Methodist Church. Jack married the love of his life, Mary Lou Carden, in 1986. She passed away in 2011, and was ill the last several years of her life. Jack was by her side every day during her illness. Jack was also preceded in death by his father, Cyrus P. Clayton; mother Minnie Clayton; sisters Maxine C. Howorth, Kathleen Skiles and Betty Letz; brother Maurice Clayton; brother-in-laws Tom Howorth, and Joe Skiles, Sr.; sister-in-law Lois Clayton and nephews Joe Skiles, Jr. and Kirk Clayton. He is survived by stepdaughter Sharon Carroll; brother-in-law Roger B. Letz; nephews Dr. Tom Howorth, Ken Clayton, Roger C. Letz; niece Kathy Letz Smith, numerous great nephews and nieces and members of Mary Lou’s family. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, September 21 at Arborlawn United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, followed by internment at Cottonwood Cemetery in Bryson at 12:30. Donations in his memory may be made to Arborlawn United Methodist Church, 5001 Briarhaven Road, Fort Worth, TX 76109.

Jack Cyrus Clayton

November 18, 1924 - September 17, 2015