Donald Ray Clayton passed away to his heavenly home on April 4, 2022 at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro.

Donald was born October 25, 1943 in Batesville, Arkansas and grew up in Saffell and Black Rock.  He was a 1962 graduate of Black Rock High School.  

Donald worked at Martin Marietta Materials for 54 years where he was the office manager and where he had many coworkers and truck drivers who were his friends. 

Donald surrendered his life to Jesus Christ as a teenager and was a member of the Black Rock Methodist Church and was a Lay Speaker.  Donald was also proud to be in the Lions Club and a member of the Masonic Aurora Lodge 423.  He was also a member of The Gideon’s International where he loved passing out New Testaments.  He served in many positions and was president of the local Gideon Camp. 

One of his passions was old cars and street rods.  He owned many classic cars and trucks, and was a member of the North East Arkansas Street Rod Association where he had many friends.  

Survivors are his mother, Imolene Slayden of Saffell; brothers, Randall Slayden (Saffell), Jerry Clayton (Lebanon, MO), and Gary Clayton (Little Rock); sisters, Rita Ann Drake (Saffell) and Patricia Clayton Ward (Strawberry); nephews, Todd Drake & Brian Slayden; niece, Lisha Foust; great nephew Destyn Drake; great niece, Heaven Foust; cousins, Bob Callahan, Dan Callahan, & Samantha Callahan Davis; aunt, Libby Sue Callahan; and many other friends and loved ones. 

He was preceded in death by his father, John Allen Clayton; grandparents, Robert & Zona Callahan; and beloved uncle R. D. Callahan. 

Visitation will be Thursday April 7, 2022 from 1:00PM-3:00PM at House-Gregg Funeral Home in Walnut Ridge. 

Funeral services will follow immediately at 3:00PM in the House-Gregg Funeral Chapel with Reverend Dennis Calaway officiating. 

Burial will be in Lincoln-Ward Cemetery in Saffell under direction of House-Gregg Funeral Home of Walnut Ridge and Lynn, Arkansas. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Gideon’s International where Bible can be placed in Donald’s memory. These can be mailed to P.O. Box 23, Walnut Ridge, AR 72476.