James Boyd Clayton

James Boyd Clayton, 82, DeLand, Florida, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 30, 2009. He is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy, of 58years; his daughters, Elizabeth (Chris) Riley, Martha (Kirk) Bauer, and Susan Blanchard Hipp; nine grandchildren, Ashley (Kevin Harvill), Lauren (David Brown), Clayton, Rozier, Boyd, Meredith, Christopher, Katherine, and Jeffrey; and three great-grandchildren, Emma, Morgan, and Kaden. Born in Lexington, NC, Jim received God's gift of eternal life by repenting of his sins and believing that Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, came into the world and dwelt in a body of flesh, and that He went to the cross bearing all men's sins, and that He paid for those sins by laying down His sinless life. Jesus was buried, and rose again the third day, and now sits at the right hand of God the Father as the advocate of all those who will trust in His finished work that He accomplished on the cross at Calvary. Throughout his life, Jim encouraged others to trust Jesus Christ, and to live in a way that would be pleasing to God. Jim served in WWII in the U.S. Navy, graduated from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and received his law degree from Stetson University College of Law. He practiced law in DeLand for 35 years, often representing the disadvantaged. He was licensed to practice law in all Florida Courts, Federal Court, and the United States Supreme Court. He was the first president of the West Volusia YMCA, a member of the Volusia County School Board, and served on many local and state non-profit organizations. A true patriot throughout his life, Jim encouraged local, State and Federal government officials to serve the public with integrity. He was a faithful and loving husband, father (and father-in law), grandfather, and great-grandfather and will be greatly missed until we have a glorious reunion with the Lord. A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 115 E. Howry Avenue, DeLand, Florida on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Fellowship Tract League, P.O. Box 164, Lebanon, OH, 45036.