Clayton P. Ketterling

Clayton Paul Ketterling, 83, passed away on January 19, 2019 at his home in Palm Bay, Florida. To honor Clayton's wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life service will take place on May 18, 2019 at 1:00 pm at Fountainhead Funeral Home in Palm Bay. Clayton will be laid to rest next to his wife, Cynthia and daughter, Pamela.

Clayton was born on November 6, 1935 in Logan County, North Dakota to Edward and Emma Ketterling and spent his childhood there. He excelled in sports and graduated from Napoleon, North Dakota High School in 1953.

Clayton met the love of his life, Cynthia Conrad on a blind date, that didn't go so well, in 1956. Cynthia attended North Dakota State University and Clayton attended Jamestown College in Jamestown, North Dakota, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1957. Their family has enjoyed reading the many, many love letters that Clayton wrote to Cynthia while they were apart. They were married June 14, 1957. Clayton then continued his education at South Dakota State University in Brookings, earning his Master of Science degree in 1958.

Clayton and Cynthia celebrated 56 wonderful years together. Cynthia passed away on June 9, 2014 after suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. Clayton was her ultimate caregiver, choosing to care for her at home until her passing. Clayton attended meetings at the Center for Family Caregivers and the Aging Matters group and continued to lead worship and meetings until very recently. He shared with a family member that he had spoken at 32 funerals for members of the Alzheimer's groups.

Their marriage was blessed with three daughters: Paula, Pamela, and Patty and one son, Jon. Clayton had several passions in his life, but none was more important to him than family. He shared his wisdom and guidance with each of his kids.

Clayton's resume was one to be proud of. He started his career in 1957 as the freshman football and wrestling coach at South Dakota State University. At Dickinson State College beginning in 1959, he was Professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and also coached football, wrestling, baseball, and track. There he started the wrestling program from scratch and set an NAIA record of 39 consecutive wins from 1960-1962. He continued his career at Waynesburg, Pennsylvania College from 1963-1977 serving as Coach, Athletic Director, and Financial Aid Director. He helped coach the football team to the NAIA Championship in 1966. He became the youngest Athletic Director in the country at the age of 29 in 1965. He was appointed to the US Olympic Wrestling Committee for the 1972-76 Quadrennial and helped coach the team for the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. In 1977, the family moved back to Jamestown, North Dakota where Clayton became V.P. Of Admissions, Alumni, Development and Public Relations at Jamestown College. There he proved his fundraising skills by increasing alumni giving from $70,000 to over $1,000,000 in three years time. In 1983, the family moved to Kansas City, where Clayton was Vice President of Distribution and Purchasing for Dakota Bake-N-Serve, Inc. His final job before retiring was as Senior Vice President of Development at the national headquarters of Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Kansas City. He was responsible for fundraising and training of national staff. He shared a daily devotional with the office staff and affectionately earned the title of “Big Guy.” He retired in 1997, when he and Cynthia moved to Palm Bay, Florida to be closer to two of their daughters and grandchildren. Clayton and Cynthia were members of Calvary Chapel, West Melbourne, Florida.

Clayton was very strong in his faith and will best be remembered for life stories, giving advice, and believing in God with all of your heart. He reminded everyone that “You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.” He also truly enjoyed watching his four children grow to adulthood and loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He and Cynthia were loyal to the Pittsburg Steelers and Pirates and the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. They loved traveling, especially making the trip to the Holy Land and attending numerous Tom Landry and Billy Graham retreats for FCA. And “Coach” also enjoyed playing cards with the guys at Club 52 in Melbourne and watching horse races on TVG and live at Fonner Park in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Clayton is survived by daughters: Paula (Bill) Naber and Patty Malinich of Palm Bay and his son, Jon (Corinne) of Grand Island, Nebraska. He and Cynthia were blessed with five grandchildren: Tara (Giovanni) Colon and Marcus Cerepani of Orlando, Emma Cundiff of Palm Bay, Clayton (Samantha) Malinich of Staten Island, NY, Christopher Sattes (Melanie) of Virginia, and Gerit Naber of Canada. Five great grandchildren include: Eian Colon and Lillian, Sophia, Cecelia and Finnley Sattes. He is also survived by brother, James (Marlene) of Mesa, Arizona and Cynthia's brother, Lyle (Connie) Conrad of Atlanta, Georgia. Many close nieces and nephews complete the family.

Family members preceding Clayton in death are his wife of 56 years, Cynthia; his daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Ron Cundiff; his sister, Delores Hanson; his brother, Floyd Ketterling; Cynthia's sister and husband, Nancy and Don Jeter; and grandson, Tommy Naber.

Fountainhead Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Palm Bay, Florida is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/palm-bay-fl.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 8701 Leeds Road, Kansas City, MO 64129 or the Alzheimer's Association (8180 Greensboro Drive Suite 400, McLean, VA 22102.

Clayton, GLYASDW! (God loves You and so do We!)