Clayton Eugene Parham

Lt. Col. Clayton Eugene Parham, 88, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully June 11, 2026, after living what he often described as a “wonderful” life. He grew up in Marietta, Ga., with his parents, James and Elia, brother, Perry, and a large extended family nearby.

Clayton played baseball and football, served as class president at Marietta High School and earned an academic scholarship that paved the way to Sewanee: The University of the South, a men’s college in Sewanee, Tenn. He was the first in his family to attend and graduate college.

During those college years, Clayton participated in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, a program combining undergraduate studies with military leadership training; majored in economics; and pledged the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He graduated magna cum laude and was commissioned as an officer, beginning a 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force.

During his military tenure, he served tours of duty in Korea, Vietnam and Ethiopia. He received a Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone; the Air Force Outstanding Supply Effectiveness Award, reserved for the best-run supply operation in the Air Force; and the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding leadership and exceptional performance. While engaged in work he loved, he also earned a master’s degree in business from Florida State University and a law degree from the University of Denver. During this time, he had three children with his first wife, Judy Morgan – Scott, Haley and Greg.

Clayton retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel in 1980, choosing to leave the military to spare his family another move. All told, they had resided in four states, six cities and one foreign country. He then launched a second career in finance at the Adolph Coors Co. in Golden, Colo.

In 1984, he married his second wife and soulmate, Mary Schmerdtmann. “She is the kindest person I’ve ever known,” he often said. Together, they golfed, traveled the world and embraced life fully.

When they semi-retired in 1993, they moved to North Carolina, where Clayton practiced law. Later, they relocated to South Carolina and eventually Florida.

Together, Clayton and Mary brought the family together often – hosting beach reunions in North Carolina with their three children and seven grandchildren, and later gatherings in Florida that grew to include three great-grandchildren.

Good things seemed to follow Clayton throughout life. He insisted he was simply “lucky” and was quick to shake off suggestions from family that his intelligence, perseverance, kindness and talent might have also contributed to his success. But they knew better …

Clayton, who will be deeply missed, is survived by his beloved wife, Mary; children, Scott (Kelly) Parham, Haley (Joel) Jorgensen and Greg (Erin) Parham; his grandchildren, Lily, Dylan, Mitchell, Grace, Ryan, Jack and Charlie; great-grandchildren Tatum, Fletcher and Elodie; and his cousins, Susan Segars Roberts and Nona Wirtz. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Elia Parham, and his brother, Perry.

A celebration of life will be held with full military honors at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 11, 2026, in the Town Hall of Regency Oaks, Clearwater, Fla. Lunch will be served after the service. Memorial contributions in Clayton’s memory may be made to your local hospice organization.