Clayton W. Gardner's Obituary
Clayton W. Gardner passed away peacefully at home on December 4 surrounded by his daughter Jeanette and her family. He was 89 years old. Clayton was born in Warren, MI, the first-born of three children and lived the majority of his life in Royal Oak, MI. In 1953 he happily married the love of his life, Ruth Evelyn Barnett and they went on to have two daughters, Diane and Jeanette. He worked most of his career at Michigan Bell Telephone (ATT) followed by what he considered to be the privilege of giving and sharing what he could with others, working 20+ years at Ashley Scott Funeral Home.
Many knew Clayton as a passionate hunter, outdoorsman and story teller – spending as many days and hours as he could in West Branch at his cabin, camping across the country with friends and family or pitching in, during the early weekend hours, at a dear family friend’s farm in Deckerville. An active member of Tabernacle Baptist Church all of his married life, he found and was warmly welcomed into the family of Cross of Glory Baptist Church in Minneapolis. He lived full, loved many and was blessed with little illness in his life until August of 2016 when a stroke caused his health to rapidly decline and the Lord came to call him home.
He is survived by his loving sister Fern, children Diane Flores (Jose) and Jeanette Monte (John), in addition to 5 grandchildren Roberto Flores (Lauren), Daniel Flores (Charlene), Christina Flores, Patrick and Matthew Monte, two great grandchildren Eden Flores and Alex Flores as well as numerous nieces and nephews, all very important in his life.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, his parents Vera (Soule) and Howard Gardner, his brother Jim Gardner, Mother and Father In-Law Jessie and Lola (Higgins) Barnett, Jess Barnett, Leon and Glendene Barnett, Denny Barnett, Bill Barnett and baby granddaughter Aubrey.
Clayton was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and friend who will be missed by many.
Clayton’s life will be celebrated with a visitation on Wednesday, December 14 at HOPCROFT FUNERAL HOME, 31145 John R. Road, Madison Heights, MI from 4:00 -9:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 15 at 10:00 a.m Instate followed by the 11:00 am funeral service. at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 22323 Chrysler Drive, Hazel Park, MI. Burial at White Chapel Cemetery, Troy, Michigan.
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