CARTERSVILLE, Ga. — Thomas "Tom" Craig Clayton, 57, Cartersville, Ga., died April 6, after a long, hard-fought and brave battle with cancer.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Kay of Richmond, Va.
Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Donna Clayton; his parents, Jack and Nell Clayton; his son and daughter, John Clayton and Kristin Moffett, and her husband Jeremy Moffett; his grandson, Samuel Thomas Moffett; mother-in-law, Barbara Divers and her husband Don Divers; his father-in-law, Phil Newton and his wife Elaine Newton; brothers-in-law, Richard and Karl Newton; as well as numerous other aunts, uncles and cousins.
Tom was born on April 5, 1951, in Richmond, Va. He moved to Roanoke in 1958 and later attended Northside High School in Roanoke, Va. This is where he met his future wife, Donna Newton, in the fall of 1968. He played varsity football and basketball. As a senior he was elected captain of varsity basketball team and president of his graduating class of 1969.
The fall after his high school graduation Tom attended Bridgewater College. He played four years of varsity basketball, and was elected team captain his senior year. He graduated in the class of 1973 with a degree in Economics.
On Nov. 24, 1973, Tom married the former Donna Cheryl Newton of Roanoke, Va.
Tom worked in the automotive parts business for his entire professional career, starting in 1973 with the ACDelco division of General Motors. He was based in Smyrna, Ga., where their first daughter Kristin was born in September of 1976. Soon after, the family moved to Macon, where their son John was born in June of 1979. In 1983, Tom was offered the position as the zone manager with ACDelco. This would make him the youngest zone manager in the nation. The position required a large amount of traveling. In 1984 he left the position to accept the position of General Manager at Auto Parts Company and moved to Cartersville. This allowed him to spend more time with his family.
After moving to Cartersville, he and his family joined Trinity United Methodist Church. Tom began singing in the Chancel Choir in 1984 who he sang with until his health did not allow. He was known as the President of the Choir. He attended New Beginnings Sunday School Class and treasured the relationships he had with his fellow classmates.
In 1990 Tom founded AIM Inc., where he served as president until 2008. He built the business from its inception into a nationwide automotive parts buying group.
Tom’s hobbies were plentiful. He had a great interest in showing and viewing classic muscle cars. He was an active member of the Cartersville Historical Vehicle Association, Antique Automobile Club of America and Tri-County Cruisers. He also enjoyed coaching for the Trinity Upward Basketball Program and coaching various sports with the Cartersville Recreation Department. However, his true love was spending time with his family and friends.
His family remembers him as a loving and caring father, grandfather, husband and son, with deeply rooted Christian convictions. In September of 2007, he was graced with the birth of his first grandson, Samuel Thomas Moffett, who quickly became the sparkle of his life in his latter days. He found delight in his many friends, who found pleasure in his cunning wit and joyful sense of humor. He embraced the simple nature of life but understood the complexity of the path that it may take you down. His family and friends knew him as a selfless and dependable person guided with strong morals.
Tom was first diagnosed with cancer in 1994. His battle continued, but the last two years were very difficult for him. Even in the face of the cancer, he fought hard everyday to make the most out of life. While he fiercely fought the disease, he courageously continued his professional career. His strong will and determination allowed him to vigorously fight the cancer until the very end. Although cancer may have taken his human body there is no doubt that his eternal soul is in heaven.
Pallbearers will be Grassy Harper, Russell Archer, Lee Burger, Jim Agan, Charles St. Clair, Marvin Hudson, Jimmy Benefield, Fred Harris, CB Hatch, Butch Walker, Tom Clark. Honorary pallbearers include members of New Beginnings Sunday School Class and Trinity United Methodist Church Chancel Choir.
The family will receive friends on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers family members requested that contributions be made to Trinity United Methodist Church.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 8, at 4 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church. The Rev. Ted Griner and the Rev. Ed Wadsworth will be officiating the ceremony. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, is in charge of arrangements.
