Gary Waitte Clayton

Gary Waitte Clayton, age 64, died on June 24, 2012 at Fort Hamilton Hospital. He was born January 22, 1948 in Somerset, Kentucky, the first son of Travis Waitte Clayton and Mildred Darlene Oakes. He spent his childhood in Russell Springs, KY until moving to Fairfield, OH in 1965. Gary graduated from Fairfield High School in 1966 and went on to receive a B.S. in accounting from Western Kentucky University. After moving to Memphis, TN in 1970 he became a corporate auditor for Holiday Inns, Inc. His love for his fellow Memphians inspired him to run for Shelby County Mayor in 1978. April 14, 1978 Gary married Penny Lynn Mitchell and had two sons, John Travis Clayton January 4, 1979 and Gary Patrick Clayton March 17, 1980. During this time he authored a book for 20th Century Publishing titled White Collar Crime. In 1979, the state of Tennessee certified Gary as a public accountant. As an MIS consultant with SCB Inc., he consulted several Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Gary went on to become a Chief Financial Officer for several companies; including RiverBirch Corporation of Memphis, TN; Caruso Inc. and Megen Construction of Cincinnati, OH; and The Resort at Glacier (St. Mary Lodge) of St. Mary Montana. At the same time, Gary also managed to use his business skills as an owner of Sunset Lounge in Memphis, TN, and his own restaurant and tavern, Frogs, in Spring, TX. Later in life, he founded lionguy.com, a website offering personalized lion illustrations featuring the customers’ name. Gary was a devoted father, son, and brother to Sandra Lee (Clayton) Shappley and Thomas Dexter Clayton. He was also an uncle to three nieces. Having traveled the globe; his knowledge of history, politics, art, and literature is second to none. As one of the finer minds of our time, MENSA has commemorated Gary with the achievement of being a 25 year member. His sophisticated charm known no bounds; to meet him was to love him. He will be greatly missed. Cremation has taken place and no services will be observed. Webb Noonan Kidd Funeral Home is serving the family.