Joseph Clayton, Sr

JOSEPH EMERSON CLAYTON IDAHO FALLS, ID - Joseph Emerson Clayton, 87, of Idaho Falls, passed away December 15, 2003 at Riverview Residential Care facility of age related causes. Joe was born in Goshen, Idaho, on June 27, 1916, to Irving Emerson and Ethel Jensen Clayton. He lived in Goshen until 1923, when the family moved to Idaho Falls. He attended schools in Goshen, Idaho Falls, Montpelier, Pocatello and Moscow. As a child he enjoyed being on the farm of his grandparents, Joseph J. and Mary Ann Jensen, and as an adult on the family ranch in the Pahsimeroi near Salmon, Idaho. Catherine (Katie) Odell St. Clair and Joe were sweethearts from Junior High School days and were married in Santa Monica, California on June 12, 1940. They had one daughter, Susan-Jo and one son, Joseph, Jr. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, as well as a devoted son and brother. Joe was employed with MGM Studios in the late ‘30s where he befriended prominent motion picture figures. The mother of actor Robert Taylor (real name Spangler Arlington Brugh) and head hair stylist, Larry Germaine, accompanied Joe to Idaho Falls where they celebrated Christmas of 1937 with the Clayton family. Joe served in the Army Air Force in Kansas and Texas during WWII. He established Idaho Properties in Boise in the early 1950’s and later Town and Country Realty with his long time friend Dick Sipple in the San Fernando Valley. After the devastating earthquake of 1971 they moved back to Idaho Falls and Joe joined his brother Dick as a partner in the operation of Wackerli Realty. Besides his GRI designation, he attained the distinguished Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) rating and served as Vice President of the CCIM Chapter 24. He served as Director, President, Chairman of the Legislative Committee, Trustee for RPAC, and many other committees for the Idaho Falls Board of Realtors and was twice named Realtor of the Year. He also served three years as a National Director and was a member of the Real Estate Finance Committee in the National Association of Realtors. In 1986 Governor John Evans appointed Joe to a four-year term serving on the State of Idaho Real Estate Commission. He was a productive Realtor until his late seventies. Members of the Idaho Falls business community respected and warmly regarded Joe for his happy disposition and his active involvement in the Idaho Falls Rotary Club, Lions Club, Elks Club, and Chamber of Commerce. He was a strong and active participant in promoting the Snake River Greenbelt Project and in supporting the successful Duck races. His second love was jazz piano. His admiration for the outstanding talent and character of Gene Harris resulted in a beautiful friendship with Gene and Janie and prompted him to organize several Idaho Falls concerts featuring the Gene Harris Trio from Boise. Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine, his sister Madeleine Sybella, and his brother William Jensen (Bill) Clayton. He is survived by his brother Richard Irving (Dick) Clayton, Sr. (Cheryl), sister Mary Musgrave, daughter, Susan-Jo Cargo (Charles), all of Idaho Falls, and son, Joseph (Joe) Jr. (Eliz), of Richmond, New Hampshire. Joe had eight grandchildren (Taryn Ivie, Michael Dalessi, Steven Dalessi, Ryan Cargo, Kelli Clayton, Joseph Clayton III, Matt Cargo and Shane Cargo), six great-grandchildren, one great-great grandson, and several nieces and nephews. Joe was loved by so many and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. For the last 12 months Joe has been in the loving care of the staff at Riverview Residential Care facility where he was still able to enjoy daily visits with his family. Special thanks go to Corinne, Olga, Isabel, SuzAnn, and Cheryl who lovingly cared for Joe at that facility. The Western Visiting Nurses, Wallace Baker, M.D., and Peter Cannon, M.D., also merit our heartfelt appreciation. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, December 20th at 11:00 a.m. in the Wood Chapel of the Pines at 273 North Ridge Ave, Idaho Falls. The family will meet with friends and relatives one hour before the services.