1919
2013
Clayton Elder Amend was born July 22, 1919, in El Dorado, Kansas, and died September 26, 2013, in Bentonville, Arkansas. He was raised in Tulsa by his mother, Hazel (Elder) Amend, and father, Clayton Everett Amend, who worked for Magnolia and Mobil Oil. Clayton graduated from McAlester H.S. He began playing drums at age 12. In the Army Band, he played with the 45th Quartermaster Company in Ft. Sill, OK. He served in World War II in Italy. At Ft. Chaffee, Ft Smith, he played the organ at chapel worship, and was office assistant to the Chaplain. He also lived on military bases in Abilene, TX, Muskogee, and Enid, OK.
In his first marriage to Lyndall June in Van Buren they had a daughter, Lynda Gale, who passed in 2007. Clayton worked for the Veterans Administration and received several honorary awards for business efficiency suggestions. While working full time at the VA, he attended night classes in Business Administration at OCU. After 40 years at Tinker AFB, he retired from Inventory Management. On weekends he played gigs in Country Clubs, Czech Hall polka dances, and Military Officers' clubs in cities across Oklahoma. He was the leader of the band "Versatiles", and played with the Knights of Pythias band, and lastly with the Danforth Dandees at senior centers and retirement homes. He made lifelong friends by playing regularly for the Council for Retarded Children at the Dale Rogers Training Center. He volunteered with Boys and Girl Scouts, as a Boy Scout Leader at the Elks Lodge #417. He also belonged to the Masons and the American Legion. After retirement he kept active as a Security Guard for Pinkerton Agency. He received a "Service to Mankind Award" from the Sertoma Club, an Exceptional Service Award from RSVP, and a Bronze Zero Defects Award from the Air Force Logistics Command.
His church family for 40+ years has been Central Presbyterian.
During college he met and married the love of his life, Jessica Eleanor McCormick, who preceded him in death in 2010. Living in Bush Hills on Memory Lane they raised their 5 children: Richard, Ron, Mark, Lisa, and Eric. Grandchildren are Mike, Steve, Ryan, Sara, Jenny, Kerstin, Alexia, and 8 great-grandkids. Besides playing drums he played 3 piano tunes "Without a Song", "When It's Sleepy Time Down South", and "Meditations". He also wrote an original song, "I'll be loving you Always" for Jessica.
Clayton had many friends at the Waterford Mansion Assisted Living where he resided for 5 years.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
March 17, 2014
Lisa Cornforth
JoAnn,
I will be visiting OKC this weekend. Maybe by then you will be feeling better. Until then, yes, let's chat via email. You will need to send an email to me first.
March 16, 2014
Lisa Cornforth
Jo Anne Fain,
Your message is so special to read today. I would love to talk with you anytime about my dad and about the names of the songs you all enjoyed playing in the band.
March 15, 2014
Jo Anne Fain
I owe Clayton a huge debt! He was responsible for asking me to join the Danforth Dandees as their piano player! The 13 years I spent with the Dandees were very precious to me! And Clayton was the one that got me there......Quite a guy.....
October 13, 2013
Kitty
My favorite memory - Uncle playing drums for "Morning has Broken" on an Easter service.
October 2, 2013
Jaxson Amend
Grandpa,
I loved coming to see you. I hope you enjoyed the pictures I colored for you. ???
October 2, 2013
Wyatt Amend
Grandpa,
I was a lot like my dad. I wanted to check everything out. Thanks for the mickle and sharing the little chocolate mint candies in the green wrappers with us.
October 1, 2013
Alyce Amend
Lisa and Guys, Your Dad was a very special guy! We had such a sweet visit in Tulsa as they came through that day! Alyce Amend aka "Anonymous"
October 1, 2013
Keegan Amend
Grandpa
September 30, 2013
Clayton made as much music by how he lived his life as he did with his musical talents!!! I agree,Lisa, his smile was like a shot in the arm -only it touched our hearts!,;
September 30, 2013
Lori Cornforth
Hoping you soon find peace with the passing of your Father. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
John, Lori & Clare
September 30, 2013
Robert Amend
"SEVEN DAYS WITHOUT PRAYER MAKES ONE WEAK" was the sign he showed me back in 1989 before I left for Europe. Now Clayton can rest in the STRENGTH of FATHER'S arms... Next time when I play Oh when the Saints - I'll be thinking of you on the heavenly drum-set!!
September 29, 2013
Lisa Cornforth
He lit up a room with his smile and chuckles and warm embrace or handshakes and his departing words at each encounter "Peace be with You".
September 28, 2013
Sharon Amend
Peace be with you "dad". I'm going to miss you. Love, Sharon Amend
Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results
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