Eugene was born April 11, 1922, in Ucon, Idaho, to Thomas Hugh Clayton and Louvenia Dorcas Slaughter Clayton. He was the eighth child of ten. At the age of 18 months, he was infected with polio and courageously bore the consequences of this illness for the rest of his life. He had to be away from his family for many long periods of hospitalization during his childhood. He graduated from Ucon High School in 1940 and then from Ricks College in 1942 with a degree in Arts and Sciences and a specialist degree in Music. He returned to Ricks for another year to better get to know a girl he had noticed near the end of his 2nd year and wanted to get to know better. Opal Heileson was taking education classes, so he registered for education as well and graduated in 1943 with a degree in Education along with her. He taught school and was Principal at the North Salem Elementary school for 1 year from 1943-44.

They were married in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple June 9, 1944. They lived near Osgood on an island in the Snake River where he worked for the City of Idaho Falls at the Upper Power Plant. He retired from there in 1977. Six children were born to this union-Marsha (Steven) France of Shelley; Robert (Vicky) Clayton of Rigby; James (Susan) Clayton of Idaho Falls; Dr. Terry (Beth) Clayton of Gilbert, Arizona; Brad (Missy) Clayton of Sierra Vista, Arizona; and Marianne Ordway of Idaho Falls.

Opal died from injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident on February 11, 1963. Eugene married Patricia Ann Young Wellard on October 8, 1967 in Idaho Falls, Idaho and helped raise her two sons, Kris (Tracy) Wellard and Delynn (Karen) Wellard both of Idaho Falls. He and Patsy were sealed August 9, 1973 in the Salt Lake City, Utah LDS Temple.

Eugene was a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities including Finance Clerk, High Counselor, Stake Clerk, Bishopric Counselor, and Bishop of the Ammon 2nd Ward. He loved to teach and one of his favorite teaching callings was that of the High Priest Group. He was choir director many times and also served as an officiator in the Idaho Falls, Idaho LDS Temple for many years.

Eugene was very accomplished in music especially playing the trombone and was well known for this special ability. He also played the guitar, electric guitar and organ and played very well by ear. He wrote a beautiful song, EternallyYours. He played in many dance bands, including the Gary Harris Dance Band, and he had his own for several years.

He loved to travel and took his family on many vacation trips. He invented and patented the ELCO Fireplace. He also worked for KIDK and KIFI television stations as a switchboard engineer for many years and was instrumental in building the equipment to get KIFI on the air and made the first broadcast announcement for them. He had a speaker re-coning business as well. He loved his HAM Radio activity and had several stations from which he talked to other HAM Radio operators around the world. His call letters were W7MXM. He helped many others to study for and obtain their Ham Radio licenses. He used his radio equipment and skills in working with Captain T. J. Wadsworth, Director of Civil Defense for Idaho Falls for many years. He was the Emergency Radio Coordinator for the LDS church in the Northwest states area and put together the Emergency Communication network for the whole LDS church. He had a pilot's license and had part ownership in an airplane for some years. He was very adept in the marquetry wood-inlay art and many family members and friends are grateful recipients of the creations of this artistic ability. He loved to fish from his boat and drove many years for Avis and was the Driver team leader there until he was forced to retire due to ill health.

Eugene is dearly loved and appreciated. Much of the time he worked 3 and 4 jobs to support his family. He now has gone on to his great reward and reunion with loved ones who have passed on before. He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Patsy) of Idaho Falls; one sister, Dollie (Dan) McKenzie of Idaho Falls, and his legacy lives on in his 8 children, 37 grandchildren, and 40 great grandchildren with 5 more on the way.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Opal; his parents, 3 sisters, and 5 brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 23, 2007, at the East Idaho Falls LDS Stake Center, 1860 Kearney, with Bishop Heber Andrus officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, October 22, 2007 at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St. Idaho Falls, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Ucon, Idaho Cemetery.

Condolences may be made to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com.