Ross A. Clayton, age 95, of Lake Ozark, died Saturday, September 22, 2007 at his daughter's home in Eldon. He was born in Franklin County, Illinois on September 2, 1912, a son of the late W.W. and Carrie (Stewart) Clayton. On June 30, 1937, in Benton, Illinois, he was married to Gladys Marie Bays, who preceded him in death on August 3, 2005.

Mr. Clayton attended school in Benton, Illinois and moved to the lake area at 17 years of age. He worked at his mother's café at Old Bagnell, serving the workers during the construction of Bagnell Dam. He worked various other jobs around the lake area until he returned to Benton, Illinois in 1937 to marry his childhood sweetheart, Gladys Bays. They moved back to the lake in 1939 where he owned his first business, Clayton's Dixcel Service Station. During that time he was also deputized by the Miller County Sheriff to serve as guard on the Bagnell Dam during the early 1940's, being on the payroll of the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Clayton then helped his brother establish and operate Clayton's Café for a short period of time until he opened his own business, Clayton's Electric, which served the lake area for many years before his retirement as electrician and opening Clayton's Gift Shop.

Mr. Clayton was a member of the Lake Ozark Christian Church. He was a former Lake Ozark City Alderman and Police Commissioner; a former member of the Lake Ozark Lion's Club and the Eldon Chapter of the Masonic Lodge.

Those who survive him include: one daughter, Linda Spurgeon and husband Robert of Eldon; one son, James (Jim) Clayton and wife Janell of Decatur, Illinois; 8 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 25, with services immediately following at 11:00 a.m. at Lake Ozark Christian Church. Rev. Jim Pohl will officiate. Interment will be in Greenmore Memorial Gardens near Barnett.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Lake Ozark Christian Church.