Robert Farley Clayton

On July 16, 2023, Robert Clayton broke the barriers of mortality. The family is certain he did a flyover and snapped a few pictures in his T-18 before ascending into the heavens.

He leaves fond memories and a gentle existence to savor. He engaged people with unassuming warmth and joyed in others’ success. Maybe this was because he did exactly what he wanted in life. He had few regrets and no envy. He followed his curiosity and enjoyment whether it was taking pictures in the desert, watching Abbott and Costello movies with his grandkids, taking long road trips to the Oshkosh Airshow, serving in the Temple with his companion of 56 years, Tyra, or the precise and meticulous construction of his Smith and Morehouse cabin and the T-18 in the cinder block garage on 1800 East, which always provoked conversations with passing neighbors and strangers alike.

Bob pursued his passions and he shared them passionately with anyone who might listen. Later in life he stole a line from a friend and made it his own because it so aptly fit. “Now I’ve probably told you this story before, but don’t interrupt me because I want to hear it again.”

Robert Farley was born into the home of Quinn Lamar Clayton and Eva Farley Clayton on January 24, 1932. He moved constantly in his early years following his parents’ divorce, so he insisted on finishing high school in one place. East High it was, and the experience blessed Bob’s life as he joined a brotherhood known as the Big Six, (more like Sixteen). The remnants and spouses of the original friends still meet monthly to this day. Other beloved friends include the “Airport Bums,” aka members of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and his friends made while serving an inner-city service mission and various Temple assignments, most memorably in the baptistry. Bob also had formative friendships during his time at KSL.

After graduating from East High, Bob served his country honorably as a Yeoman in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He demonstrated a tricky balance of discipline and camaraderie while on the USS Sigourney, serving as lookout and sounding the alarm when the ship’s commander came looking for the wanton sailors on shore.

Following his military service, Bob earned an art degree from the University of Utah and dedicated himself to the arts for life.

Bob met the love of his life, Tyra Bingham and they wed in the Salt Lake Temple on March 24, 1967. They complimented each other well and Tyra became a steady and constant support to Bob as they shared many adventures together; completing the cabin, exploring Southern Utah on his filming expeditions, serving the Church in an inner-city mission and serving in the Salt Lake Temple baptistry. Later they would welcome Alisa, Adam, and Shawn into their family. Bob shared his talents liberally with his children and grandchildren: airplanes and Oshkosh Airshows, photography, art, jazz, silent films, and sardines. If it came from the 1930’s, 40’s, or 50’s, it was heaven-blessed as far as Bob was concerned.

He loved his grandchildren, and you would know how much they loved him if you had seen their streaming tears over the past three weeks in anticipation of Grandpa’s crossing.

Bob photographed and videoed just about everyone and everything during his life. His family is exceedingly grateful for the countless hours he spent framing shots and getting the lighting just right.

But Bob was more than a photographer. He chronicled the arts and education for Utah, donating countless volumes of photographs to the University of Utah. He photographed for Pioneer Theatre Company, Ballet West, the Utah Opera, and had early stints as cameraman for KSL and KUED. While working at the State Office of Education, he made movies the old-fashioned way, documenting Utah’s history, landscape, and the sciences for school children across the state.

Despite his affinity for everything old he never feared technology. He loved devices and we have the receipts to prove it. And though we admire his thirst for knowledge and understanding, the family is thrilled that it is now in God’s hands to explain to him what the “damn Cloud” is.

However difficult the concept, he was never afraid to learn new things or take up new hobbies—surely a contributing factor to his relatively good health and longevity, along with his tri-weekly swim routine—Esther Williams style.

Bob is survived by his wife Tyra, sons Adam (Marnie), and Shawn (Marie), and grandchildren: Annie (Jordan Sutton), Lillie, Mollie, Jonah, Emma, Eli, and Luke. He is preceded in death by his daughter Alisa and brother Michael.

In lieu of flowers, do something kind in Bob’s memory.