Richard (Dick) Clayton Sr

DICK CLAYTON Click here to view a video of Dick's life IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Richard Irving “Dick” Clayton, Sr., 88, of Idaho Falls, passed away August 12, 2008, in Idaho Falls of natural causes. Dick was born October 22, 1919, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Irving Emerson Clayton and Ethel Jensen Clayton. He grew up and attended schools in Idaho Falls, graduating from Idaho Falls High School. He married Maribel "Billie" Earl, who passed away February 4, 1963. Dick found happiness again when he married Cheryl Joan Burtenshaw on December 30, 1978 in Idaho Falls. Known as “Mr. Downtown,” Dick was owner and broker of Wackerli Realty in Idaho Falls and was instrumental in the completion of many community endeavors, including the Idaho Youth Ranch and the Colonial Theater restoration in downtown Idaho Falls. Through the years, Dick served as Director of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Downtown Improvement Association, President of the Idaho Falls Rotary Club and Chairman of the Finance Committee, was appointed to the Real Estate Commission by Governor Cecil B. Andrus, served as Director of the Idaho State Realtors, was President of the Board of Realtors, Director of the Idaho Falls Association of Realtors, President of the MLS Bureau, appointed to Mountain Bell Telephone Companies Idaho Board of Advisors, and was honored as Realtor of the Year. Dick enjoyed music, fishing, golf, traveling, horses, and his coffee club. Most of all, he Dick owned many wonderful dogs over the years and they were his best friends. Survivors include his wife, Cheryl, of Idaho Falls, Son: Richard I. (Diane) Clayton Jr. of Idaho Falls, ID Daughter: Julie Clayton of Idaho Falls, ID Son: Steven Emerson Clayton of Las Vegas, NV Stepdaughter: Natalie (Barry) Black of Idaho Falls, ID Stepson: Joseph (Stephanie) Benjamin of Pocatello, ID Sister: Mary Musgrave of Idaho Falls, ID; 5 Grandchildren, Holly Wright, Colby Clayton, Alexandra Black, Zachary Black, and Rhiannon Benjamin, and 2 Great Grandchildren, Emellie Wright and James Wright II. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Billie, a sister, Madeline, two brothers, Joe and Bill, and a granddaughter, Jaime Billie. The family will visit with friends Friday, August 15, 2008, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge. An Open House Celebration of Life will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, August 16th at the Willard Arts Center, 498 “A” Street. Private Burial Services will be in Rose Hill Cemetery prior to the Open House under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Willard Arts Center Endowment, c/o Idaho Falls Arts Council, 498 “A” Street, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, or to the Snake River Animal Shelter, P. O. Box 51741, Idaho Falls, ID 83405-1174 (online donations may be made at www.snakeriveranimalshelter.org). --------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Del Sprague delsprague@msn.com To Dick Clayton Jr. and the entire family of Dick Clayton Senior, I would like to express my sincere sympathy for the loss of Dick Senior. I appreciate my relationship with him over the years and I will miss him and his real estate judgment and wisdom. Sincerely, Del Sprague Willie Hammon & Family He was a go getter - sorry to hear he's gone. Vic Heinitz vwheinitz@juno.com Cheryl: My thoughts and prayers are with you and the Clayton families. (In 1946 Dick was my insurance agent.) But he also married a lady who I feel blessed to remember as a good friend. George & Elaine Harris Dear Cheryl and Family We're so sorry to hear of your beloved Dick's passing. Such wonderful memories you have made together to sustain you during this difficult time. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. The Benjamin's bjbenjamin6@aol.com To: Our Dear Aunt Cheryl and Family, We are so sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. Dick was very special to all of us Benjamin’s. He is locked in our family memories forever. Betty, Douglas, Suzen, Michelle, Lisa, Wesley, and Brian. Gary Gardner Dick and Diane: Sorry for your loss. Sr was one of the good ole boys and always was helpful and honest with me in business. Sincerely hope you are doing okay! Gary Polly & Gary Simpson psimpson@westmark.org Cheryl, Gary and I were sorry to hear about Dick's passing. He was such a wonderful man and will be truly missed. Our special memories will always include the really great times we had with all of you racing Senior Blurr. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Bill Page whpage2@gmail.com Dick, Julie, Steve, I see your Dad passed. I hope he did not suffer! He lived a long and rewarding life. I will always remember how he treated me during his life. He was always treated my like a partial family member. I remember when Dick me and you dug the under ground fort in the vacant lot next to your house, and your dad went out to level it and drove the tractor into the hole (fort) we built. He was not very happy. I also remember the basketball games in your back yard with Mike Bell and others, I also remember you building the 40 Ford. Did it ever run? Steve, I remember dropping you and putting a large gash in your head, I don't think your mom ever forgave me for that. Julie, You were always the prettiest girl in the area, and a friend for life. I am sorry I can not be there, but know I cared for him and all of you. Bill Page Wanda Stoker Mosteller wanda@mostellerllc.com Dick became important to all of us who live in Idaho Falls. I was privileged to know him and his family. Condolences to my friends, Dick, Diane and Cheryl... Wanda Nancy Thorsen nancy@nancythorsen.com Dick is an icon in the real estate world. Many successful Realtors today got their start under his mentoring. His contributions to downtown Idaho Falls were enormous. He will be missed by many, but his legend will live on forever. May your loss be eased by your many wonderful memories. Nancy Ralph Cole rhcole@sunrivertelecom.com Dear Cheryl and Family, Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you. I must say Dick was a very special person in my life having first met him in the 1940's when we were both members of the young men's 20-30 Club. From there it was the Jr. Chamber and then on to the Chamber. I feel very fortunate to have had him as such a good friend for those many years. He will certainly be missed. Sincerely, Ralph Cole Brett & Sue Manwaring brett@brettmanwaring.com To Cheryl & Dick Jr. & family, Sorry to hear of Sr's passing. He did a lot of good for a lot of people. Please accept our heartfelt sympathies. Brett & Sue Manwaring Squeek Old times build lasting friendships. When you lose one of those memories, the only thing that can heal that loss is time again. He will be missed. SQUEEK Jeff & Wendy Selditz selditz@cableone.net To Cheryl Clayton, Wendy and I are so sorry for Dick's recent passing. He was a character and we won't soon forget he and "Buddy"! You two were a marvelous pair and we (I) thoroughly enjoyed our (my) short stay with you on Placer. What a wonderful and colorful life Dick had! Again, our condolences to you and your family. With Affection, Jeff & Wendy Selditz Mark Nelson My wife Susan is a sister to Jeanne', Dick's second wife. We were married in their home on Morningside Drive nearly 41 years ago. Dick was always a perfect gentleman. My sincere sympathy to all of you. Dick was Mr. Idaho Falls! He made many wonderful contributions to the community and to the lives of many. Lisa Mullinix lisamullinix@msn.com Dear Aunt Cheryl, I am so sorry to hear about Dick's passing. Although I didn't spent a lot of time around him, I have nothing but good, kind memories of him. You are in my prayers. Love, Lisa Karen Torres renenae@hotmail.com Regarding my sweet, funny and feisty friend, Cecil, who passed away August 12, 2008 in a peaceful sleep at home. The letter and poem are from Cheryl, his wife who is strong and beautiful and steadfast in her friendships. 75 year old Cecil was truly one of my very best friends. We talked almost every day and He and Cheryl gave me much comfort during my Dad's illness and passing. I always said Cecil was the most intelligent person I know and today that is still true. His approach to anything was simple and direct, whatever came into his mind came right out of his mouth and actually made sense. He had a way of cutting to the chase and at the same time not being hurtful. Cheryl and Cecil were perfect together, they knew how to have fun together. They also have a big family, all mixed up like most of us but they always maintained a bond and constant flow of communication with all. Their family relations reminded me of a nice lazy river with occasional squalls and rising water but they rode it out with a calm attitude and a shrug. We all know about turbulence within our families and I've learned so much from both of them. I miss Cecil so much but I'm so blessed to call him my friend, to have the time together that we did. Now I look forward to spending some time with Cheryl and getting to know her on her own, which won't be much different but I guess we'll have different things to talk about and hopefully find some adventures along the way and just maybe Cecil will know and He'll get that big ol' smile on his face and be glad. To my friends and family: Read Cheryl's poem and take heart, be there for your loved ones even if they're at the end of their journey, even if it hurts, even if it's scary. During the most painful time of my life a couple years ago, a friend put his arms around me and said, I hurt for you. That gave me more comfort than I can say. So, Friends and Family, Here's to Love, Friendship and my dear friend Cecil. Here's to Family. Even if you don't know Her and if you don't know my Mom, Alberta who lost her Husband, please take a moment and think of them, think of your friends and family and wish them love and comfort. Love, Karen I just want to say how very much your love and support has meant to me during this trying time. I'm including this poem to remind all of you to not leave things unsaid. We were so lucky that we knew the end was near and that gave us the chance to say those important words to each other. He was so ready and was not at all afraid. That gave me the strength to let him go. I'll miss him dearly but just thank God that I had him for nearly 34 years. Your emails, phone calls and visits gave him a lot of joy. He was so shocked to find out how many people loved him! I don't know why, he was a keeper! Love, Cheryl If I Knew If I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you fall asleep, I would tuck you in more tightly and pray the Lord your soul to keep. If I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you walk out the door, I would give you a hug and kiss and call you back for one more. If I knew it would be the last time I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise, I would video tape each action and word, so I could play them back day after day. If I knew it would be the last time I could spare an extra minute To stop and say "I love you", instead of assuming you would know I do. If I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your day, Well, I'm sure you'll have so many more, so I just let this one slip away. For surely there's always tomorrow to make up for an oversight, And we always get a second chance to make everything just right. There will always be another day to say "I love you", And certainly there's another chance to say our "Anything I can do"? But just in case I might be wrong, and today is all I get, I'd like to say how much I love you and hope we never forget. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young and old alike, And today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight. So if you're waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today? For if tomorrow never comes you'll surely regret the day. That you didn't take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss, That you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their last wish. So hold your loved ones close today and whisper in their ear, Tell them how much you love them and you'll always hold them dear. Take time to say "I'm sorry", "Please forgive me", "Thank you", or "It's okay", And if tomorrow never comes you'll have no regrets about today.