David Clayton Sr.

David “Dinky” Clayton Sr. was a wonderful father! He loved spending time with his kids and grandkids and the people that he loved. He was generous, brave, a wonderful friend and brother, the cool uncle, a self-proclaimed photographer and was always there for anyone who needed him, making sure you felt seen and loved. David loved gardening, music, driving, working with his hands, helping others and spending time with his friends and family. David will be remembered for his infectious smile, enormous heart, always giving advice (solicited and unsolicited 😊) and helping any and everyone. He took pride in simply being who he was, whether you knew him as Dinky, David, Dave, or Daddy. David loved his family and would make a point to tell them that he loved and appreciated them as often as possible, sometimes with a hug, kiss, or a text. He was clever and full to the brim with knowledge gained through all his life experiences: repairman in his early years at Peterlin Trucking, farmer, machinist, hunter, contractor – he was skilled at fixing almost anything. David peacefully gained his wings to be with our Lord and Savior on November 23, 2024, at the age of 56. David was born July 8, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois. David was one of six children born to Lillie and John Clayton. He grew up in Chicago in his younger years and moved to Pembroke where he met some lifelong friends and began raising a family. He attended St. Anne High School and excelled as an athlete in basketball. He leaves to cherish his memory, four daughters and two sons, Tisha Buckley (Paul) of Monee, IL; Keta (Jermaine) of St. Anne, IL, Quita Clayton of Bourbonnais, IL, David Clayton Jr. (Brittany) of Momence, IL, Jordan Creque (Anubia) of Pembroke Township, IL and Alaina Neiman of Watseka, IL; eight grandchildren, (Jayden, Khloe, Peyton, Paul Jr., David III, Mila, Kylie, Aria); three sisters and a brother, Jackie Hicks (Chuck), Loria Harris, Roslyn (Mark) Barker and John Clayton, a host of nieces, nephews and many more relatives and friends. He is greeted in the heavenly realms by his mother and father, John and Lillie Clayton, his brother Monroe Clayton Sr. and a host of aunts, uncles, and close relatives. David was a brave and courageous fighter, but he is now “rollin” on the road to paradise, listening to Prince and Sade. We know that he is free and is riding gloriously to the destination of his dreams. In his words, he will see us all in a “skinny minute.” Seeing death as the end of life is like seeing the horizon as the end of the ocean.

Tributes

David Clayton Sr.

July 8, 1968 - November 23, 2024