Richard J. CLAYTON

Richard J. Clayton spent his life as a builder of both homes and family. Richard began his life on December 20, 1934 at his family farm near Harris, Saskatchewan. He was the first child of Larry and Verna Clayton, with Donna, Lyle and Gordon as siblings. He attended public school at Hillview School. After graduation, he went to study carpentry at Tech in Saskatoon and then went to Tech in Moose Jaw.

His work life was diverse. Richard left Saskatchewan to work at a steel factory in Vancouver for a year. Upon his return to Harris, he worked on the family farm and took on additional carpentry work. Later, he drove truck for Ross Thompson before working for a road building company near Outlook. After a while, he started building houses for Charlie McDonald until he decided to become a contractor and formed a partnership with George Frerichs. After his partnership with George Frerichs ended, he started a new partnership with Herb Wollny that would last until 1984, when he took over the business Claywoll Builders until retirement.

Richard had many interests and hobbies. Richard loved his annual trips to Arizona to visit his parents from 1964 until 2013. Richard also loved restoring vehicles, especially the Ford Thunderbird, which had a special place in his heart. Richard’s other hobbies were painting, gardening and stained glass, all of which provided a proper outlet for his creative mind.

In 1975, Richard had purchased a cabin at Jackfish Lake and in 1978 Richard built a new cottage in its place. In 1985, sparks flew when Richard met and married his soulmate, Wendy Cratty (née Frerichs) and began building a family with her and his step-children Terry and Katherine. The couple later welcomed three more children, Leila, Blaire and April. His family spent weekends and holidays at the cabin where so many memories were made. It was Richard and Wendy’s bit of paradise; a place of joy and relaxation.  And anyone who knew him would know that he always loved a good nap!

His family continued to grow with the birth of his first grandchild in 2001, followed by eight more blessings. His family legacy is currently at eighteen including his children, their spouses and his grandchildren. This was a man who loved what he did for a living and loved his family even more.

Richard finally retired as a carpenter in 2010, spending his free time from May to September at the lake with Wendy and their family and friends.

In 2000, he was diagnosed with kidney failure and started renal dialysis in December 2013 followed by hemodialysis in October 2017. Richard’s illness led to a move to Saskatoon in October 2017 where he would spend his last year. Richard succumbed to his illness on September 8, 2018 at St. Paul’s Hospital with family by his side.

Richard was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and brother.

He was predeceased by his brother Gordon Clayton, his father Lyle Clayton, his mother Verna Coleman, his step-father Richard (Rick) Coleman, nephew Trent MacFarlane and granddaughter Faith Cratty.

He will live on in the memories of his wife Wendy, his children Leila (James) Zheng, Blaire (Dion) Fowler and April Clayton, his step children Terry (Renee) Cratty and Katherine (Clint) Kennedy and his nine grandchildren Alyssa, Thomas and Bella Cratty, Jaylen and Kya Kennedy, Ari and Remy Zheng and Grayson and Oakley Fowler. He is also survived by his sister Donna (Roy) McFarlane and his brother Larry Clayton.

Vigil of Prayer was held at St. Theresa’s Parish, Rosetown, SK on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Terry Cratty presiding and the Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday September 14, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Father David Tumback as celebrant. The Rite of Committal followed in the Rosetown Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers are Barry Churchman, Russell Lomas, Kevin Long, Herb Wollny, Byron Olorenshaw, Jim Trayhorne, Wayne Moreside and all those who shared in in Richard’s life. 

Memorial donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 1 - 2217 Hanselman Court, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 6A8 or the Rosetown and District Health Centre Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 653, Rosetown, SK, S0L 2V0.