Clayton Harold Wright

1926 - 2018

Clayton Harold Wright 1926-2018

passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 in North Canton, Ohio. Clayton was born on October 8, 1926 in the village of Stratton, Ohio, to Harold David Wright and Anna Tietz Wright. He graduated from Toronto High School in 1944 and enlisted in the Navy. He attended Swarthmore College and subsequently transferred to The Ohio State University on the GI Bill, serving his country during the final years of World War II. In 1948, Clayton graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering and a commission as Ensign in the Naval Reserves. Clayton began his long career with Ohio Power/AEP in 1948 in Steubenville, Ohio. In 1951 he received orders to active duty and faithfully served his country as Assistant Engineering Officer aboard the USS Bataan (CVL 29) during the Korean Conflict until 1954. Upon returning to Steubenville and Ohio Power, he met Clara Elizabeth Singer whom he married in 1956. While in Steubenville they welcomed their two daughters, Cheryl and Deborah. He soon was transferred to Lima, Ohio where he also continued his military service and was appointed Commanding Officer in the Naval Reserves. During this time, he also completed coursework to obtain the title of Registered Professional Engineer. Clayton held various managerial roles through the years with Ohio Power in additional cities of Findlay and East Liverpool, Ohio and came back to Steubenville as Division Manager in 1973. A tireless community volunteer, he served as President of the Steubenville Chamber of Commerce, Commissioner of the Improvement Corp., President of the Jefferson County Taxpayers' Association, and Church Council President at Grace Lutheran Church. Clayton was a member of the Steubenville Kiwanis Club and Elk Lodge No. 231. He served on the Advisory Board at Franciscan University of Steubenville and was a member of the Board of Directors at First National Bank. During his time in Steubenville, Clayton was an active member of the Steubenville Shrine Club where he was involved with many charitable and philanthropic activities. In 1984, Clayton and Clara moved to Canton, Ohio where he served as Executive Assistant to the President of Ohio Power, a position he held until his retirement in early 1990. They joined St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church where Clayton served on Church Council and as Chairman of the Planning Council as the congregation prepared to build a new sanctuary. Later that year, Clayton accepted a position as Managing Consultant for a project funded by The US Agency for International Development (US Aid) for the purpose of developing a functional electrical distribution system in Pakistan. In addition to living and working in Pakistan for two years, he and Clara also took advantage of the opportunity to travel to many places around the world where they shared many adventures and fond memories. Returning to Canton in 1992, Clayton and Clara resumed their stewardship activities at St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the Retired Executives and Professional Men's Club, member and past President of the Retired Military Officers Association of America, member of Ohio Power Retirees, American Legion Post #44, and was a lifetime member of the Massillon/Canton Elks Lodge #2029. A member of Tadmor Shrine of Canton, Clayton was a proud inductee into The Legion of Honor and carries the distinction of 32 Degree Mason. He recently received his 65-year pin from the Canton Masonic Lodge #60.

In addition to his parents, Clayton is predeceased by his sister, Verna Wilkins and brother, Floyd Wright. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 63 years, Clara; daughters, Cheryl (Bill) Costner and Deborah (Richard) Pluta; grandchildren, Makenzie, Madison and Clayton Costner, Matthew Clayton (Brianna), Adrienne, Caroline and Cameron Pluta; great-grandson, Jack Pluta; nephews, David (Linda) and Chris (LouAnn) Wright; nieces, Linda Price and Cathy Brown; cousins, Dorothy Auw and Robert (Nikki) Wright; and sister-in-law, Betty Singer.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Steven Weaver and the staff of Windsor Medical Center for the excellent and loving care they provided Clayton in his final years, Dr. Jacqueline Suppan of the Canton Veteran's Administration and Dr. Larry Penvose, Clayton's former primary care physician. Extreme gratitude is also extended to the angels on earth of Crossroads Hospice.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 1, 2018 from 6-8 PM and Sunday, December 2, 2018 from 1-2 PM at St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church, 4600 Fulton Drive NW, Canton, Ohio. Funeral and Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 2:00 PM at St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dr. Bruce R. Roth officiating. Full military honors will be rendered at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery where he will be laid to rest on Monday, December 3, 2018 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church or to the Military Veteran's Resource Center, 6500 Busch Blvd. Ste. 255, Columbus, Ohio, 43229. Online obituary may be viewed at Legacy.com. Services entrusted to the Mark R. Vrabel Funeral Home, North Canton, Ohio 330-452-4041.