Robert Clayton

He was born in Lakeland, FL and graduated from Lakeland High School in 1955. Robert (Bob) began his career in March 1953 at Dow’s Antiques, refinishing furniture until his life career with Publix Supermarkets in Lakeland on Labor Day, 1956. Bob began his career in Lakeland warehouse working on the loading dock unloading box cars. He would work his way up the ladder going from unloader, to loader, selector, motor operator, alternate driver, rail foreman, then 1973 becoming warehouse supervisor and transferred to Jacksonville to help open the Jacksonville warehouse. He would remain in Jacksonville until 1997 being transferred to Orlando Warehouse. He retired in early 2000 after 45 years.

Bob was an avid runner. He ran 11 River Runs in Jacksonville. He loved fishing, hunting, golfing, travelling, reading, motor-homing and putting puzzles together. Bob was a born leader. He was president of his DCT class as well as 4H Club in high school. In 1982 he was president of the Westside Kiwanis Club. In 1998 he was President of Florida Trucking Association.

Robert (Bob) was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Koneta Clayton, his daughter, Martha Celeste Bynum (2005), and his brother, Lee William Clayton (2014).

Bob is survived by his wife of 48 years, Beverly Clayton, his son, Robert, wife (Luisa) of Lake Wales, Bob’s step son, Guy Payne of Yulee, FL, his two half-sisters, Dee (Dot) Fitzgerald of Hope Sound and Patricia Burgess of Waldo, FL.

Bob has 9 grandchildren, Dayton Swann, Leah Riley (Chris), Dr. Ian Munger (Shrelu), Amber Richardson, Justin Payne, Bradley Clayton (Nicole), Taylor Clayton, James Meeks (Aly), Jonathan Meeks. Bob has 15 great-grandchildren.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m. in Jacksonville at the Riverside Event Pavilion at 1373 Memorial Park Road, 32205. Hope to see everyone there.