Donald Clayton,
'Don', 72
Donald Clayton, "Don", 72, retired UPS package delivery man and singer extraordinaire, passed from this life to be with his Lord and Savior April 22, 2022 after suffering from a stroke, surrounded by his family at Coastal Hospice at the Lake.
Don was born February 17, 1950, in Crisfield, Md., the second son of William and Lois Clayton. He graduated from Crisfield High School, class of 1968, and from Salisbury University in 1972. He will always be remembered for his athletic skills, from the pitcher's mound to sustaining a 32-year long highest scoring basketball record. As an adult he was the smiling UPS man who loved meeting interesting people every day; sharing a neat story or two of life on the UPS tuck every evening with his beloved wife. Don loved driving his UPS truck, but also loved traveling with his wife, Nancy, her sister, Pam and Pam's husband, Robin Matthews.
Don will be remembered by his friends and family as the guy you called because he could fix anything and would do anything for us. He was called upon for problem solving, technology and wiring puzzles. He was a painter, wallpaper hanger, window installer, lawn sower, even putting in an inground pool for his family with the help of beloved neighbor, William "Skip" Oakley and his brother-in-law, "Bud" Morgan. While an accurate list could continue with many more abilities, Don's smooth rich baritone voice stands out as his greatest gift. He will be remembered for his beautiful, touching solos at Parkway Church of God (Salisbury) and Walker Memorial Church of God (Princess Anne), weddings, anniversaries, graduations, and funerals. He had the privilege of singing solos in Ammon, Jordon, and Jerusalem, Israel. He and his wife, Nancy, had a weekly nursing home singing ministry in their earlier years with Harvey and Alana Tyler.
Don is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Nancy (Morgan) Clayton of Salisbury; adored by his younger son, Jeremy Clayton, and his older son, Don ("Big D" as his Dad called him) and his wife Erica, all of Salisbury; grandchildren, Ava and Isaac Clayton of Salisbury; brother, William "Bill" (Harlene) Clayton of Alexandria, Va.; sister-in-law, Sarah Clayton of Crisfield; brothers-in-law, Charles Goldsborough, Reginald "Bud" (Lois) Morgan, and Rob (Linda) Morgan; sisters-in-law, Joy (Gene) Hawke, Pam (Robin) Matthews, and Crystal (Rudi) Frey; and his mother-in-law, Jeanette Morgan; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He had an especially close relationship with his aunt who he had more of a brother-sister relationship with, Lou Anne (Tyler) Cannon of Valdosta, Ga.; his daughter-in-law's parents, Ralph and Beth Osborne; and his pastoring family, Tim and Sandra Shawyer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Russell Clayton and Lois Elizabeth (Tyler) Clayton; brother, Timothy Tyler Clayton; father-in-law, Reginald Lee Morgan, Sr.; and sister-in-law, Regena Goldsborough.
A celebration of Don's life was held at Walker Memorial Church of God in Princess Anne on Friday, April 29, 2022 at 12 p.m., with a viewing one hour prior to the service. Rev. Tim Shawyer officiated and interment was in Sunnyridge Memorial Park in Crisfield.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802-1733.
Arrangements are in the care of Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com