Michael Walter Clayton Jr.

Michael Walter Clayton, Jr. was born on September 27, 1958 in La Marque, Texas, Galveston County. He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by close family and friends after a brief illness on February 25, 2021.

Michael, or Mike, as he was known to his friends and colleagues, attended La Marque ISD schools until his senior year, graduating from Boerne High School in 1976, then attending the University of Houston, where he graduated in 1980 with a degree in Business Managment. Mike had a natural gift for business, and created a company to build seasonal, modular ice skating rinks, bringing ice skating to those who may never have the experience without his influence and dedication. He loved sharing his achievements in this business with his family, after enjoying childhood ice skating with his parents, Mike Sr. and Connie, and sister Marsha, at Winterland, The Ice Haus, The Galleria, and Sharpstown ice rinks, all in Houston.

It was at his very first professional ice rink inside Post Oak Mall in College Station, that he met the love of his life, Lena Gottschall, who shared his love of ice skating, and encouraged him to develop his company into Ice Rink Events. Ice Rink Events achieved world-wide recognition and respect for the highest quality ice rinks, with construction at United States National figure skating championship events in Washington, DC, Spokane, WA, Greensboro, NC, and World figure skating events in Los Angeles, and Boston. Mike and Lena married on November 11, 2007

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Mike was proud of his Clayton family heritage, as a great-grandson of Galveston architect NJ Clayton. He enjoyed his work and his world travels that his work brought him, often sharing travels with his family.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Mike Sr. and Connie Clayton, niece Kelly Brenneman. Mike is survived by his wife of 14 years Lena Gottschall, sister Marsha Clayton of Round Rock, niece Kristen Wentzel, her husband John Wentzel and their children Aubrey and John of Georgetown, former brother in law Kent Brenneman of Georgetown, many other American family members including his Aunt Charlotte Clayton of Kyle, many loving cousins, and his European family, mother in law Galina, sister in law Tatiana and her husband Volodia, nieces Eluzavetta, Masha and Anna.

There will be private family services.