Howard Ellsworth Clayton, age 84, died unexpectedly at his home in Sutherland, Utah on August 1, 2024. He was born on December 11, 1939 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Marvel Priscilla Wilcox Clayton and Fred Randolph Clayton. As a young child, dad loved playing in the dirt. For Christmas, Grandpa Fred built Howard his first tractor and leveling toy. He was so excited about it and began “lasering” all his little farms in the yard. From then on, he had a great passion for lasering fields and playing in the dirt. While in high school, he actively participated in FFA and served as the President, along with being the Student Body President. After graduation he attended the University of Utah for a short time after which he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Canada/Alaska Mission.
Howard married Marilyn Chloene Warnick on June 29, 1962 in Deseret, Utah and they were later sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on May 29, 1968. They had one son and three daughters. He graduated from Utah State University and returned to Delta to make their home. He taught vocational classes at Delta High School, worked as the maintenance building supervisor for Millard School District and served on the school board for over 20 years. The school district was very dear to Howard’s heart, and he loved the people he got to work with.
Howard had a great faith in Jesus Christ. He served in various callings such as Sunday School President, Clerk, High Council, Bishop and in the Stake Presidency. He was a Temple Sealer for many, many years and truly loved being able to share his love for marriage and teach about the importance of an eternal companion to each couple he married. He was the Stake Patriarch and shared this beautiful experience with his sweetheart. It was placed right at the top of his greatest blessings. He loved the Lord so much and was willing to not only share his testimony with others, but he lived it every day. He felt like he had been blessed to have lived two lives because of his great health and desire to always be busy. You could always find him moving at high speed and on a mission to accomplish whatever was on his list for the day. He said he could get as much done in one day as most did in two. That’s where his two lives came from. Dad was a die-hard Rook player and always ready for an evening of Karaoke. Whatever meal you fixed Dad, it was the best one he had ever tasted!
Howard is survived by his four children: Penny Jo Clayton (Jonette Pantos), Cody (Mike) Harris, Neil (Sharalyn) Clayton, and Portia (John) Willoughby all of Delta; 20 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. Dad was preceded in death by his sweetheart: Marilyn; his parents: Fred and Marvel Clayton; in-laws: Van and Carole Warnick; three half-sisters, one half-brother and a brother-in-law.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August 5, at 11:00 am, at the Sutherland LDS Church. Viewings will be held on Sunday evening, 6:00-8:00 pm, at the Nickle Mortuary; and Monday, 9:30-10:40 am, prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Delta City Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.nicklemortuary.com