Richard A. Clayton

September 26, 1941 - January 19, 2021

Richard A. Clayton, age 79, of Gibraltar, Michigan passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at Michigan Medicine Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Born on September 26, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, he was the son of Edgar and Ruby (Murphy) Clayton. On October 3, 1964, he married his high school sweetheart, Jean Crooks in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Trenton, Michigan. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968 during Vietnam. Richard was employed with FCA Trenton Engine and Trenton Chemical for 42 years, he spent the last few years serving as Vice President for Union Local 372 before retiring in 2006. Richard continued to serve the UAW after retirement with the Regional Advisory Council and the Vice-President for Retirees. Richard was an active member of St. Roch's Church in Flat Rock and enjoyed helping feed the hungry in the Flat Rock Community. He enjoyed watching sports, especially his granddaughter's softball games. In addition, he was a huge fan of U of M football and basketball as well as the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions. Richard was preceded in death by his parents Edgar and Ruby, brother, Bernard, and a sister, Calin. He is survived by his wife, Jean K. Clayton; son, John (Jodi) Clayton; daughter, Julie (John) Wadsworth; grandchildren, Sarah (Ethan), Andrew Wadsworth, and Brady Clayton; brother, William (Beverly) Clayton. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 8th at noon at the Local 372 Union Hall in Trenton, MI