Obituary
In loving memory of Michael Ray Clayton – July 21, 1945 – October 8, 2021
Michael Ray Clayton, 76, of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away at his home after a short battle with cancer on October 8, 2021.
He was born to parents James Dixon and Alice “Jackie” White Clayton, on July 21, 1945, in Cumberland, Maryland. As a young man, he served in the US Air Force stationed in Alaska and North Dakota. After his service, he returned to Cumberland and worked as a radio disk jockey. He then progressed to a career in insurance sales, and his company moved him to Columbus, Ohio.
In 1973 he graduated from The Ohio State University from The College of the Arts and Sciences and worked towards a degree in International Business. As an avid OSU football fan, everyone knew his love and support of the team and his obsession with Bucknuts 247 sports. Go Buckeyes!
Mike was predeceased by his father and mother, his brothers James and Joe Clayton, as well as his sister Sandra Kay Gattinella. In addition to his partner, Rhonda Harris, and her children Ashley and Drew, he is survived by his aunt and uncle Joanne and Fred Taylor, and sister-in-law, Beverly Clayton. This also includes his three children Dana Parsons, Karen Walraven, and Jason Clayton and their mother Margaret Clayton. He will be missed by his grandchildren Riley Clayton, Natalie Parsons, Jagger Walraven and Charlie Clayton.
He was a businessman at heart, and over his lifetime he formed many successful companies and was never afraid to introduce himself to a stranger. It was through his business skills and leadership that he touched many lives.
Mike will be remembered as a passionate world traveler, music lover, animal lover (Cosmo his dog), avid learner, and history buff. Piloting small aircrafts was one of his lifetime hobbies. After retirement, he took up cycling 15 miles a day for fitness. He loved renovating his new home and spent hours planting trees, mowing the lawn, gardening the “back forty” and growing the best tomatoes. In the end, he found that it was the simple things in life that were of importance. Unfortunately, he couldn’t make his last scenic RV trip out west, but he was often caught admiring the beautiful view from his house.
A Celebration of Life will be forthcoming. Please contact the family for further information. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that memorials may be made to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida by visiting https://bbbsflorida.org/donate/ or by check to
Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida, Inc.
123 West Bloomingdale Ave., #440
Brandon, FL 33511
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