Ralph Jackson “Jack” Clayton, age 90, of Greencastle, PA, passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at SpiriTrust Lutheran Home. Born in Barboursville, VA, he was the son of the late John Ralph and Annie Lee Thompson Clayton.
Mr. Clayton was a 1954 graduate of Damascus High School. He proudly went on to serve honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1954-1958 during the Korean Conflict. Jack then went to work as a Supervisor in the Engineering Section at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, until his retirement in 1990. Not one to be idle, Jack went to work for the Frederick County Public Schools for an additional 7 years, where he would later retire. He was a member of Grace Reformed Fellowship Church in Hagerstown, MD, the American Legion Post 373 in Greencastle, PA, and the NRA. He loved the Lord and enjoyed listening to sermons and reading the Bible. Jack achieved his dream of restoring a 1974 Chevy Nova. Jack was an accomplished mechanic, plumber, electrician, and gardener. In retirement, he enjoyed woodworking.
Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Lynda Joyce Broadhurst Clayton, whom he married on October 22, 1960; three children, John Mark Clayton (wife Grace) of Lehighton, PA, Jacquelyn Marie Clayton Franklin (Charles) of Thomasville, GA, and Teresa Lee Clayton Sullivan (husband William) of Gettysburg, PA; three grandchildren, Alison Joy Clayton, Jonathan Scott Franklin, and Marlaina Marie Franklin Woodcock; and siblings, Robert and James Clayton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Erika Rachelle Franklin Diaz, and siblings, John Alfred Clayton, Zane Clayton, Maryanne Trout, Ferne Dale, and Reta Lee Bryan.
Graveside services will be private at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Greencastle, PA, where Pastor Garry Knaebel will officiate. Arrangements are entrusted to the Harold M. Zimmerman and Son Funeral Home, Inc., Greencastle, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Grace Reformed Fellowship, 919 Corbett St, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Online condolences may be offered on his page at www.zimmermanfh.com.
