OBITUARY: James Robert ‘Rob’ Clayton Jr.

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James Robert “Rob” Clayton, Jr., 53, of Springfield, passed away on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at NHC Healthcare in Springfield.

Rob was born on March 14, 1970, in Springfield.

He was a graduate of Springfield High School, Class of 1990. Rob enjoyed people, a good conversation, the “tall tale teller’s” table at Larry’s, going to church when he was still able to regularly attend, reading Sports Illustrated and Reader’s Digest, doing word search puzzles, riding in the car, traveling, and helping around his group home.

Rob was incredibly special to many, many people. To those who knew him especially well, you likely have a story involving Rob that is special to you and even perhaps a bit off color and makes you laugh as you remember him – he’d like this very much!

Rob loved sports and during his high school years he served as an honorary manager for the Springfield High School (SHS) Yellow Jackets football team; this was a role he loved and was even allowed to continue a couple more years after he left the halls of SHS, which helped him maintain a sense of place as he found his footing in life after high school.

After high school, Rob had life lessons to learn just like the rest of us and, fortunately, he had his family and his community to support him. This community was a guiding force in Rob’s success for his 27-year career with Jessie Holman Jones Hospital and then NorthCrest Medical Center where he worked in the Environmental Services department as a custodian. Rob retired from the hospital in 2019 and entered retirement just as the world dramatically changed. Rob liked that (retirement, not the dramatic change!).

Rob is survived by his mother: Teresa McAlister Brown and husband L.A. of Hendersonville, by his father: James Robert “Jim” Clayton, Sr., and wife Hanna of Springfield, by his brothers: Chad Clayton of Fairfax, VA, Ryan Lee Clayton and wife Brandy of Portland, by his niece: Karlee Clayton of Portland, by his aunts and uncles: Karen and Ken Sircy of Springfield, Anita and Mike Callaway of St. Simon Island, GA, Susan Jernigan of Tullahoma, and Robin and Jack Shofner of Manchester, Susannah and Jeff Williams of Westmoreland, by his step-siblings: Anette and Mike Breeding of Pulaski, Babette and Rickey Hargrove of Pulaski, Alan and Tonya Brown of Pulaski, and Susan and Jeff Smith of Hendersonville and by many cousins and other extended family.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, May 16th at 2:00 p.m. in the Oakhurst Chapel of the Robertson County Funeral Home with Reverend Michael Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Springfield Memorial Gardens with Whit Shofner, Alan Pratt, Tristen Williams, Hunter Smith, Tuff Smith, and Cody Smith, serving as pallbearers. Walter George, Larry Pratt, Kathy Ransom, Ken Sircy, David Goosetree, and Mike Reeves will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until service the hour of service 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Rob’s family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff of RHA Health Services, NHC Healthcare in Springfield, and Caris Hospice for the care, love, and dignity extended to Rob.

If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Special Olympics. All donations can be sent in c/o the Robertson County Funeral Home.

Robertson County Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. https://www.robertsoncountyfuneralhome.com

 

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