John Andrew Clayton Jr.

On November 2, 2022, John Andrew Clayton, Jr. passed away. He was 84 years of age. John is survived by his daughter, Jenni, and his former wife, Duane (Virginia). He was preceded in death by son, John III, and parents, John Sr. and Ineze Clayton.

John was a Music and then English major and member of Lambda Chi fraternity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He then transferred to and graduated from Elon College. John was a devoted Carolina fan, taking his family to basketball and football games in Chapel Hill and the inaugural opening of the Dean Dome Blue and White game.

John was a talented and prolific general contractor, building custom homes and developing neighborhoods across North Carolina. He owned a real estate brokerage and sold his homes, ultimately founding a mortgage lending company as well. His dreams and aspirations were boundless. He continued to dream through his last days.

John was a writer and bibliophile, reading and then re-reading all the books of interest in his local library, playing hooky from school as a child to read, and always had a well-worn book with him. He loved all sports, but especially golf, retiring in North Myrtle Beach so he could be on the green every day. He loved his lifelong friends and classmates from his hometown and always had a story to tell with his wry sense of humor.

John was a dedicated and protective father, an exceptional listener and advice-giver, the life of the party, a wordsmith with an expansive vocabulary, a shag dancer and beach music fan, an animal lover with a menagerie of beloved family pets over the years, including most recently, Pretty Girl, and had a beautiful trained singing voice, gifting his family with memories of singing songs on road trips. John left an indelible mark on everyone who knew and loved him and will be infinitely missed.

A private memorial service for John is scheduled for a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shallottefunerals.com for the Clayton family.

White Funeral and Cremation Service, 3660 Express Drive, Shallotte, North Carolina.