Army (RET.) U.S. Samuel Clayton

Born on February 1, 1941 in Dallas Texas to Edward and Mary Ernestine Clayton. Sam was raised in Alice, Texas where he graduated from William Adams High School, Class of 1959, after which he proceeded to join the Army; only after discovering the Air Force office was closed that day. Sam attended and taught Military Science at Georgia State College in Atlanta. He was also a part of the Army Band and Choir while stationed in Alaska.

Sam later went on to serve three tours in Vietnam where he was a part of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam - Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG). This was a highly classified special operations unit that conducted unconventional warfare operations throughout the region. These MACV-SOG teams worked in small groups in remote areas supported only by Vietnamese Forces whose loyalties and capabilities were sometimes suspect. Sam would later receive a Technical Medal, 2nd class from the Republic of Vietnam for his professional and perfection and also an Honorable Medal from the Republic of China for his devotion to duty and his personal contribution to enhancing the traditional friendship between the US and the Republic of China.

It was while serving as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 stationed at Fort Sam Houston that he met Dorothy Anne Campos who was working for the Chief of Supply Division and running for Miss Fort Sam. Dorothy's co-workers persuaded her to tell a handsome Chief Warrant officer named Sam that he was using far too many cups of coffee. Instead, she offered him a piece of pineapple upside cake which he ate while they struck up a conversation. He would later leave a note asking her out on a date in her mailbox and reveal he actually hated sweets. They would go on to have a loving marriage of 43 years and raised a beautiful and talented daughter, Laurie.

After retiring from the Army, Samuel would bring the same professionalism, perfection and personality to the automobile industry where he would excel in sales at Smith Chevrolet, then went on to work for Jimmy Cavender at Cavender Oldsmobile; Bobby Cavender at Cavender Buick; and lastly, Ernesto Ancira at Ancira Automotive. Sam was an exceptional salesman. He could recognize every car he ever sold and every person with which he ever did business.

Sam was not only a devoted husband and father, his spirit touched the lives of people throughout San Antonio. If ever he would see someone in need, he would always be the first to help, not offer to help but just help, they never needed to ask. A truly selfless person that gave first and never expected anything in return.

Sam is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy Anne Clayton; his daughter, Laurie Anna Mari Clayton Barnes and her husband Gerald Carl Barnes Jr.; his granddaughter, Blake Ellis Barnes; his grandson, Brandt Clayton Barnes; and his brother David Clayton of Alice, Texas; niece, Angela and Gene Phillips of Houston, Texas; his daughter, Toni Samuels of Nashville, Tennessee; aunts, uncles, and numerous nieces, and nephews which he considered his children and grandchildren as well.

We would like to express a very special thank you to family, friends, and doctors at SAAMC, and Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Also a very special thank you to friends AJ Puente, David Tullo, Niece Cynthia Silva Raugh and her husband, Colonel David Raugh.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS

WEDNESDAY

DECEMBER 21, 2016

9:30 A.M.

FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

RECEPTION TO FOLLOW AT SAM'S FAVORITE PLACE

FT. SAM HOUSTON GOLF CLUB

1050 HARRY WURZBACH

All are welcome to attend and celebrate Samuel Clayton's life and enjoy wonderful memories.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Sam's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, email: [email protected], or to Wounded Warriors Project, 12672 Silicon Drive, Suite 105, San Antonio, TX 78249, contact: www.woundedwarriorproject.org/contact-us/san-antonio.aspx.