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Clayton Mosher Obituary
It is with great regret we share the unfortunate news that on January 30th, 2022, Clayton Mosher passed away at the age of 60 in Vancouver, Washington where he has resided for the past 20 years.
Born and raised in Port Arthur Ontario, Clayton left in 1980 to attend the University of Toronto to obtain his BA (1983). Heading west to Simon Fraser University he achieved his MA (1985), followed by a return to the University of Toronto where he received his PhD (1992).
In his youth, Clayton spent many summers working at the Fort William Country Club in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Through this he discovered a great passion for golf. Clay must have walked the equivalent distance to the moon and back with the number of rounds he played. From this came a set of friends from all parts of the world that equally loved the sport. Clayton looked forward to their annual trips to courses across the country. One of Clayton's happiest places was on the golf course with lifelong friends from Toronto, Vancouver, WA, and other locales.
Clayton was also passionate about his work as an educator, researcher, and scholar in sociology and criminology. After receiving his doctorate, Clayton held faculty positions at universities in both Canada and the United States, including Thompson Rivers University, the University of British Columbia, and Washington State University (Pullman and Vancouver Campus). Clayton considered himself to be a public sociologist, stressing the importance of research with implications for the public good. Clayton has authored and co-authored over 70 books, research papers and publications in criminal and juvenile justice, as well as drug policy and enforcement. He was an accomplished scholar and collaborator, receiving numerous contracts and grants, most recently for his community-based work in juvenile justice in Clark County WA. In 2013, Clayton received the Sahlin Faculty Excellence Award for Outreach and Engagement in recognition of his collaborative and public engagement. Clayton was at WSU for over 25 years and achieved the rank of full Professor in 2011.
Clayton is preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Beverly, sister Janice (Thunder Bay), Aunt Libby Richmond (Hamilton) and uncle Stan Warr (Thunder Bay). He is survived by brothers Greg and Todd (Vancouver, BC), Aunt Chummy Warr (Hamilton), cousins Brad Warr (Hamilton) and Dave Warr (Toronto) nieces Chelsea and Breanne Mosher and nephews Chris Mosher (Thunder Bay) and John Mosher (Vancouver). Melanie Brown former wife and close friend (Kansas).
A celebration of life will be held in Vancouver, Washington in the near future. Those interested in attending can email [email protected] for further information regarding date and location.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Clayton Mosher
12 Entries
Nicole Dorssers
April 1, 2022
Dear Todd and Greg,
We at SFU were saddened to hear of Clayton´s passing. As an alumnus, Clayton was an important part of the SFU community. Sending warmth and love to your family during this difficult time.
Nicole Dorssers, SFU Alumni
Laurie Drapela
February 15, 2022
I will dearly miss my colleague, Clay Mosher. He advocated for me during my faculty hiring process twenty years ago and I deeply valued his mentorship early in my career. He was incredibly compassionate, witty, sarcastic, and loyal. I will miss him very much (especially at graduation ceremonies where he provided colorful commentary on student achievements!). Mind how you go, Clay...
Taj Mahon-Haft
February 9, 2022
I knew Clay first as a sociologist, my mentor, as he was for so many people. He was an incredible sociologist, too, exactly because he was so much more than just a scientist. He knew all the facts in his field and was a brilliant synthesizer, showing me the importance of making use of newspapers and books, things everyone reads. With those huge stacks of disheveled pages everywhere, his office had a system that only he knew... but no sooner would I glimpse a single highlighter mark through a key paragraph than that info, read once, would be the bridge connecting other ideas in something impactful he wrote.
But Clay didn't just write. He wasn't the only one contributing, but can anyone believe that the enormous progress in drug policy would have been as possible without his work and influence? He was a great sociologist too because he never kept himself to the ivory tower, hating its existence. He wrote articles, sure, but also books that were read beyond graduate classrooms, gracing the walls of policy makers across the country for speaking truthfully, directly, in lay language about not just the problems but the solutions. He took his knowledge and applied it, offering analysis and real advice that improved drug courts here in Vancouver. He was able to do all this because he wrote and spoke science in a down to earth, honest way that elevated truth but lacked any pretension. He understood that the creation of knowledge involved not just the gathering of information but its dissemination. Clay was a great sociologist because he brought knowledge of real people into the actual world.
But this strength was simply a reflection of who Clay was as a person, a man I was honored to get to know. He was honest and clear and principled, a person of action above griping. No one ever convinced him to move a certain direction or behave according to any fad or trend. Kind of old school, his no nonsense mindset came with a baseline offer of respect for anyone he encountered, from the Provost's office to the golf course, police detective, and local watering hole. Hence why everywhere he went Clay had the respect of anyone who knew him. Even if he didn't agree, everyone was treated fairly and knew it. He lived according to an ethos above sound bites, social media, and PR campaigns, as just a good man doing his best in a way he believed in.
I came to WSU Vancouver to work with Clay virtually sight unseen, having only read from his first drug policy book and having only met him briefly once. A confidant from an earlier cohort had just worked with him and suggested he'd be right for me. That ended up being the best academic decision of my life, bringing me my greatest mentor. More than that he became a great friend. None of us who knew him will ever forget how clearly and powerfully he influences us still.
Donna L. Sinclair
February 9, 2022
I am deeply saddened to learn of Clay's passing. We spent a lot of time together in his first five years in Vancouver, and although we did not remain close, we stayed in touch intermittently. Clay was funny, sardonic, so very smart,and deeply caring and passionate about the world and his family. I think of him often and always will. My heart goes out to his brothers and other family members.
James Nyberg
February 7, 2022
You were the best
Paul Thiers
February 7, 2022
I worked with Clay for 21 years, often very closely, even team teaching with him. I hope those who knew him before he came to us in Southwest Washington know what a tremendous contribution he made to our region. He worked with so many graduate students, many of whom are now in regional government and law enforcement. Clay's knowledge and perspective on the relationship between governance and a diverse community are carried forward by each of these public servants. Thank you for lending Clay to us. We will miss him even as we continue to benefit from his work.
Clare Wilkinson
February 6, 2022
I was a colleague of Clay's for many years at WSU. Mostly I remember all the laughter, his incredible sardonic wit, his gleeful puncturing of pretension, alongside his firm commitment to high standards of teaching and research. He was a true original and I am sorry I won't share any more witty, biting emails with him.
Alair MacLean
February 6, 2022
I worked with Clay for the last 16 years. He was a generous colleague and wonderful friend. He hired my husband to do research when we first moved to the area. Recently he gave my son a fully-loaded golf bag after learning that he had recently taken up the sport. Clay was often the first person I saw in the morning after my family. He started work VERY early. My days will not be the same.
Kristin Walker
February 6, 2022
This looks way more how > remember.
Kristin Walker
February 6, 2022
This is how I rememeber him exactly
Kent Paterson
February 5, 2022
I am so saddened to read of Clayton's untimely passing. I knew him in the FWCC years - he was a young man on a moped with a mission. Never one to shy away from a challenge; always fearless and determined. I was not the least bit surprised to read of Clayton's professional accomplishments. To the Mosher and Warr families, I am so very sorry for your loss, and hope your memories are as fond as mine.
Kent Paterson
Greg Arnold
February 5, 2022
I had worked with Clayton in 78/79 at the arena FW Gardens. We were rink rats. We became fast friends. After he went to school to be a lawyer in 1980 ,we never reconnected. After reading Clayton´s achievements, I am not surprised by my outspoken opinionated friend. That was the Clayton I knew for sure. I regret we never reconnected. I am recently retired from working in Ontario Correctional Services for the past 37 years. After graduating with a Sociology degree and raising to the top in leading a membership of 10G members. I think we would have a lot to talk/argue about. He was one of the most likeable charismatic guys I ever met. Don´t know if he ever gave up smoking cigars but I was saddened to hear of his passing today. I was so happy to hear of his success, we knew he would make a mark in this world. Being an avid golfer myself, I wish we could have had a round together. I think it would have been an interesting discussion. RIP, Clayton, I am thankful that I I learned today about your success. It´s been 42 years my friend. So glad to have known you.
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