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Cdr. Clayton Borne Jr.
1922 - 2016
Cdr. Clayton Borne Jr.
1922 - 2016
Obituary
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Clayton Borne Obituary
Mandeville, LA
Funeral services for Clayton J. Borne, Jr., 93, will be held on Friday, July 1, 2016, at Metairie Lake Lawn Funeral Home, New Orleans, LA, Visitation will begin at 10:00 A.M., a Masonic Service will begin at 12:30 P.M., followed by an Episcopal Eucharist to begin at 1:00 P.M. Inurment to follow.
Mr. Borne died at his home in Mandeville, LA after a lengthy illness.
He was born in Algiers, and lived in New Orleans and Metairie for most of his life. He moved to Mandeville shortly after Hurricane Katrina.
He was a retired World War II Navy Fighter Pilot, and flew off the carrier Essex in the Pacific. He later was assigned as a Test Pilot at Pearl Harbor. There he test piloted the FU-4 Corsair under the direct command of Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Following WW II, Clayton joined the Navy reserves and served in VS821 in Belle Chase, LA. Following the Russian Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, his reserve squadron was activated and was stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He served as Commanding Officer of VS821 during this tour. He retired after 25 years of reserve service.
Mr. Borne attended Tulane University. He worked with his father in the family business, Clayton J. Borne Hardware, until he founded Delta Insurance Agency. He was also owner of Sterling Petroleum Corporation. He served on the board of directors of Dixie Savings and Loan Association, and served for a while as President Pro Tem.
He was a member of St. Martin's Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry and as Junior Warden. He was involved in and served as Chairman of St. Martin's Horse Show. He was Past President of the Louisiana Retail Hardware Association, a member of the Metairie Rotary Club, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He also served on the Board of WRBH, the Radio Station for the Blind. He was a past King of Juno Carnival Organization of Mandeville.
His masonic involvement included: Past Master of Perfect Union Lodge #1 F&AM, Past District Deputy Grand Master, Grand Lodge State of Louisiana, Grand Consistory of Louisiana of Scottish Rite Masonry, Jerusalem Temple Shrine, York Rite Masonry Chapter Council and Commandry of Knights Templar.
Mr. Borne was predeceased by his parents, Clayton J. Borne, Sr. and Alvina Lobrano Borne; stepmother, Dorothy Helwick Borne; brother, Louis Borne. He was widowed by his first marriage to Doris Mace Borne, after 54 years of marriage. He is survived by his wife, Audrey Kuttruff Maestri Borne, with whom he enjoyed 18 years of marriage. He has two children, Clayton J. Borne, III and Carol Borne Spencer (Frank) of Jackson, MS; grandchildren, Clayton J. Borne, IV, (Tracy) and Rebecca Jane Borne Hill (Doug) of Abita Springs, LA, David Thompson Stewart (Abby) of Denver, CO and John Clayton Stewart of Portland, OR. He has eight great grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Joyce Borne Balsamo; and brother, Allen Helwick Borne.
His family also includes his step-children, Susan Robin (Dan), Tom Maestrii (Lisa), Becky Robin (Mike), Terry Maestri (Allison), Mary Ann Thrower (Tim), 19 step-grandchildren and 17 step great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to express deep appreciation to his wonderful caregivers, Ken Fugi, Ms. Willie and Wendy Gregorio who gave great attention and expressed patience and kindness to Mr. Borne in his last years.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the following organizations: Shriner's Hospital for Children in Shreveport, LA, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN or WRBH Radio Station for the Blind in New Orleans, LA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Gregg Macr
June 25, 2025
June 25, 2025. Missing my buddy, role model and Uncle for the last nine years. Never forgotten. Always loved! Gregg Mace
Gregg & Jennifer Mace plus Liz, Susan & Emily. Plus Owen & Grace.
June 25, 2024
The day we are born and the day we die are two significant days of our life; happiest and saddest.
Every June 25, I miss, love and remember Uncle Clayton.
I am sad for his loss but happy for the life he lived between his birth and death.
I am especially happy that I lived part of my life with Uncle Clayton.
I am a better person for knowing my Uncle.
June 24, 2017
Remembering, missing and loving our buddy every moment of every day for the past year and into the future. Gregg & Jennifer Mace and family.
Gregg Mace
December 8, 2016
Today, December 8 is the 75th anniversary of Uncle Clayton enlisting in the U. S. Navy on Monday, December 8, 1941. I know this because it is one of the many stories he told me because I went on active duty in the army on Thursday, December 6, 1979 and I went to apologize to him that I wanted to go on his December 8 day or at least December 7, Pearl Harbor Day but everything military was close on Pearl Harbor Day and not open on Saturday. He chuckled and asked if I had lost my mind worrying about such stuff and patted me on the back. He recounted those we the same reason he went on December 8 because Pearl Harbor was bombed the day before on Sunday a few hours after noon Church service New Orleans time and nothing was open. To hear him talk, he took the attack on the U. S. very personally. He cipould not sleep that night he was so upset he went to the recruiters office when the sun came up and waited till they opened. Only a true hero runs into a burning building to save someone or towards a war when others are fleeing the bullets and attack. Well, Uncle Claytonwas that hero and so much more, a devoted American who valued the safety of his democracy more than he valued his own life and safety. Thanks Uncle Clayton, there is not a day that goes by I don't think about you with pride. Thank you for your service. With love and gratitude, Gregg Mace.
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Bert and Cindy
July 4, 2016
Dear Chip,
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the entire Borne family. Your dad was such a lovely man, and he will be greatly missed. You and your family are all in our prayers!
Cindy, Bert and the Donnes/Traina family
Owen transcribed by Susan Mace
July 4, 2016
I am too little to type but I told my Mom to type the words and I spoke. I am Owen, I am six, and my Mom Susan called him Grand Uncle Clayton but I called him Great Grand Uncle Clayton. I always had fun visiting my Great Grand Uncle Clayton at Christmas, the dog Mardi Gras and things like that. It was sad at Lakelawn but Grandma Jennifer said Uncle Clayton is with Jesus now and is not hurting anymore. I am glad Great Grand Uncle Clayton is not hurting, and happy he is with Jesus, but I will miss him. I never saw my Grandpa cry till Lakelawn. I'm sorry everyone is sad and crying. I love Great Grand Uncle Clayton.
Owen, transcribed by Susan Mace for Owen.
Emily Mace
July 4, 2016
I remember all the pictures on our wall in military Uniforms of you in WWII, my Grandfather Tad in the 1950s, my Dad in Desert Storm, my Great-grandfather Teddy in WWII. My Tad would explain everyone's story and be so proud, especially of you. My Grandmother would also tell me proudly of you flying in the Cuban Missile Crisis and show me the newspaper articles she kept of you in her keepsake box. I grew up thinking and still do that you were as important as Abraham Lincoln and President Roosevelt. I remember the fun and happiness we always had when Grammy, Tad and you were all together. Even though you are separated from us for now, I know you are doing well now because my Grandfather always said Clayton always does well wherever he goes. Bye Uncle Clayton, we love and miss you, Emily Mace.
Susan Mace
July 4, 2016
I remember when I could first walk in the 1980s anticipating the fun visiting my Grand Uncle Clayton. You asked me once why you were a Grand Uncle and I said because you're related to my Grand Parents silly. You said I was like my father and laughed. I remember yelling joyfully to go to Mandeville and play on the Alligichey Horseys which was our attempt to say Alligator Horses which were the old rusty riding toys shaped like horses, ducks and such at the Old Mandeville old play spot. I was always having fun and happy when we had functions with you, my Grammy and Tad and Grand Aunt Dotty.
Love, Susan Mace
Elizabeth Mace
July 4, 2016
I'll always remember the happiest times were with you, my Grammy & Tad all together during holidays. I loved all the fun we had when we were with you. All my memories of you are so happy. Take care of my Grandmother and Tad and Aunt Dotty. I couldn't say Doris and I'm the oldest so it's my fault we call her Aunt Dotty, she said it was OK and always smiled.
Love, Liz Mace (Little Liz :)
Jennifer Mace
July 4, 2016
Thanks for calling me a beautiful girl for over 35 years! It was a privilege being called beautiful by someone so handsome as you :) Thanks for risking your life to liberate people you didn't even know in WWII. You are a beautiful Soul and I know you are with my Jesus now.
Love, Jennifer Yong-Im Mace
Peggy Boehmer Charbonnet
July 4, 2016
Our hearts and prayers go out to the entire Borne family. Mr. Borne and my late father, Bill Boehmer, Sr., shared many mornings and laughs over breakfast. He was a wonderful gentleman who will be missed by many.
The Boehmer Family
Cristy Sclafini
July 4, 2016
Dear Chip and family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy in the loss of Mr. Borne. He was such a gentleman . He will be missed. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Glenn and Cristy Sclafini
July 3, 2016
To the family of CDR. Borne:
Although we did not know CDR. Borne, our family would like to offer our deepest sympathies for the passing of your loved one. As the family of a fellow World War II veteran, we know the overwhelming pride that accompanies the privilege having such a hero so close to your heart. We would like to express our immense gratitude for the 25 years of service and sacrifice that CDR. Borne so selflessly gave to our country. We hope that you find comfort in this time and know that the Commander will be in your hearts until you meet again.
Gregg
July 3, 2016
Hi Uncle Clayton,
Just thought I'd write you like when we were separated before during my basic training and wars. I know you receive wireless now flying with the Angels as you did in World War II on your plane's wireless, literally flying on a wing and a prayer. Well, those prayers obviously reached you and brought you home 71 years ago so here is my prayer of thanks sent to you wireless over the internet.
On the occasion of our first 4th of July without you, I thank you for your service and sacrifice in winning your war defending our freedom. Thanks for making this 241st Independence Day possible.
As your Soul flies free and eternal with our Flag, may your Old Soul enjoy the peace and rest you have earned. An Eternal Soul created at the beginning of time which I was fortunate enough to spend brief moments with on earth as we both occupied our mortal bodies.
So now, since your Business on earth has closed just as the sun sets to the West, and your Soul has been dismissed from your body, as a fellow orphan and defender of freedom weary from my earthly journey, I await the day my Soul takes the same journey as you; and, our Souls Travel through time together as bodiless vapors until Judgment Day when we rejoin our bodies and loved ones.
May your walls always have mortar and always be on the square. Travel on and Travel well old Traveler.
With love from Gregg, the son of the Widow and Orphan Liz, and Grandson of Brother James McClean of Tattindonagh, Monaghan, Ireland. So Mote it be.
Ken Fujii
July 2, 2016
Mr. Clayon was the most outstandingly accomplished yet modest man I've ever had the privilege to meet.
I don't mind admitting, when I first met him I was a little bit intimidated. Even in advanced old age and ill heath, he was a formidable, commanding presence.
As I got to know Mr. Clayton, I grew to admire and respect him tremendously. I became very fond of both him and his lovely wife, Miss Audrey, as well as their respective families.
It was a real honour to work for Mr. Clayton. Every day I spent in his company was an enjoyable privilege.
When I was nine, my grandma bought me an Airfix (the British answer to Revell) model of a Corsair. I vividly remember building it and dreaming of what it must've been like to fly one of these incredible machines off of an aircraft carrier. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd get to meet a man that flew them for real, let alone a Corsair Test Pilot. Who reported to Admiral Nimitz no less! Crikey!Even before finding that out, I must confess that for the first time in my adult life, I was struck with a touch of hero worship. And my son Thomas, nine years old, was well and truly wowed by Mr. Clayton.
Getting to know him and Miss Audrey and their delightful families was a special blessing. I shall always be grateful that our paths crossed and I shall miss him very much indeed.
I will never forget him and hope very much to see him again one day.
Godspeed Mr. Clayton. Farewell, and thank you for my freedom.
With love and sincere sympathy,
Ken.
Jackie Elliott
July 2, 2016
My sympathy to Chip and the family. I am glad to have known him through Rotary.
Jackie Elliott
Frank Crifasi
July 1, 2016
Chip, my condolences to you and your family during this painful time. I was very fortunate to have crossed paths with such a great man. I will always have great affection for him.
John Russell
July 1, 2016
I am sorry for your loss, Mr. Borne is a great man and a great leader, my prayer to the family is that God will comfort, strengthen and bring healing in he days ahead.
Derek & Susie Casey
July 1, 2016
Uncle Clayton, you've left behind lovely family & friends, what a great loss for all. But with so many happy memories of you, I hope we can replace the sadness we are feeling in our hearts today. Family, I know you will all be supportive & comforting to one another. Sending hugs & love
Martin Reinschmidt
June 30, 2016
Worshipful Brother Borne,
Thank you for being one of my mentors when I became a Mason in Perfect Union Lodge.
You always had a kind word to share, and your attention to details was a big help to me in my career both in the business world and the Masonic Fraternity. Rest in Peace.
Bonnie Irwin
June 30, 2016
Uncle Clayton, I always admired you. You were such a warm and caring man. We always felt comfortable around you. You never judged, you found the best in people. You will be missed by many. You are home now and we will join you one day to where we came from and to where we will return. I'm sure your robes are white and very long. Love you Bonnie
Frank Morgan
June 30, 2016
My Condolences to Clayton (Justice of the Peace Ward 10) and your family during this time of great loss. I must say your Father's Bio is impressive; a man who touched many lives.
Frank Morgan (Walgreens in Abita)
French Brownlee
June 30, 2016
My prayers and condolences for Clayton's family. I did not know him as an adult, but I remember him from his Dad's hardware store and as a friend of my brother Bob. Thank you for your selfless service to our country - now you can Rest in Peace.
June 30, 2016
My prayers are with the family at this difficult time.
Jamie Ervin
June 30, 2016
I did not know CMDR Borne, but he is a part of the "Greatest Generation", so I am, as a Vietnam Era Vet, showing my respect for this "Great Warrior" Rest well with God.
Salute
Jamie Ervin
June 29, 2016
Mrs. Audrey we are so sorry for your loss. He was an amazing man. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Josh and Jennifer Buchholz
Gregg Mace
June 29, 2016
If I wrote a 1000 pages I could not express my sorrow for Audrey's, Chipper's, Carol's, Clay's, Rebecca's, David's, John's, Joyce's, Allen's, Susan's, Tom's, Becky's, Terry's, Mary's, and all his grand and great grandchildren's loss. However, they are not alone in their sorrow and missing Uncle Clayton. However, your all have mine and the company of all who knew Uncle Clayton in mourning. I've been through too many wars, and even died myself only to be resuscitated but I never cried during any of this. However, when I heard Uncle Clayton had died I cried like a baby. It would be too trite to say you all have my sympathy but what you do have is my empathy and deep grief. If there were a definitive representative of The Toughest Generation in America who struggled through the Great Depression and fought in WWII and in the Cold War, it would be Uncle Clayton; my American Hero who was charming, loveable and loyal to the end. I hope he saves a spot for me next to him in heaven. I loved him like a father.
Uncle Clayton was in the truest sense a gentleman, scholar, and defender of our U.S. Constitution and the human rights articulated in our Constitution. He fulfilled his oath and duties when he willingly and nearly made the ultimate sacrifice chasing enemy submarines in the Pacific over 70 years ago while caring for and endearing himself to those in his command. Even after physical tragedy struck and a crash landing nearly killed him and put him in a coma far away from family and friends, Uncle Clayton recovered and got back in the fight and never asked or accepted recognition or compensation.
As a child and teenager, Uncle Clayton had a profound impact on me and I would be less than half the person I am today without having had him in my life. He took me camping, cutting down trees in the forest, digging fence posts, swimming in rivers and telling stories. He always treated me like an adult since I was able to walk. While he would walk through pine forests with me as an 8 year old he would talk about how to use a compass, how to guide off landmarks such as towers and topographic features so as not to get lost, and how to avoid choke points and hazard areas. Unbelievably, this came in useful in my life because I wasn't the brightest student and needed all the help I could get excelling in the Army. So in Army enlisted courses and officer training they would give us a map and drop us in the middle of nowhere and tell us to get to a point 20 miles away by ourselves. Everyone would be lost, having little experience in the woods. But I'd think of Uncle Clayton and as everyone leisurely walked the trails and got yelled at, I study the map briefly but thoroughly like he taught me, fold it up and vanish into the thickets. Then once out of site of the others, I'd run to the landmark he told me how to find 11 years earlier (always avoiding trails and hazard areas like he told me) and then I'd pace off the distance back to the point I was meant to go to. I'd be sitting waiting and eating before the instructors even got there.
One of my proudest moments was the quiet pride I saw in Uncle Clayton's eyes when I was discharged from my active duty enlistment in the Army and he welcomed me home with a pat on the back and I'm proud of you son. That was worth more to me than any medal. However, the proudest moment in my life was Uncle Clayton coming to my Commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant and reading me my oath to the Constitution and then signing my Commissioning Oath of Office as Commander Clayton J. Borne, Jr. (the approving Commissioned Officer.) To this day it is the proudest document in my file with the Department of Defense. I thought he was taller and greater than John Wayne and braver than Audie Murphy; I actually expected to see him walking on water some day. But he was also a gentle mentor to and teacher of children; that is his character trait which caused his air crews and squadrons to love and respect him not only as a leader but as a friend and human being. One of the first things I remember him telling me as a child was that The real heroes died in the War, I got to come home, that's recognition and compensation enough for me. It was this faith in Uncle Clayton that got me through some of the darkest hours of my life during and after Iraq.
However, it was not just me that Uncle Clayton had an impact on. I still run into people in Orleans Parish who remember him with love, pride in their friendship with him, and gratitude towards him because he was a generous person. He loved to help people become self supporting entrepreneurs. Regardless of a person's gender, ethnicity, beliefs or any other factor, Uncle Clayton would set people up in business with loans and even grants to buy equipment or vehicles just on a handshake with nothing asked for in return, no strings attached. Some of the finest contractors and finished carpenters in the 9th ward today still brag about knowing Clayton J. Borne, Jr. and say it with such pride and enthusiasm you'd think they were talking about the President or the Pope. He did not just speak the Masonic and Christian oath of Showing charity to others and taking care of orphans and widow but he lived a life of generosity and giving. There is no doubt in my mind that he is sitting next to Jesus at this very moment.
In his own gruff loveable way, Uncle Clayton was the most enlightened person I ever knew. When I first married 35 years ago and my wife and I moved home to New Orleans from Asian, Uncle Clayton was the first to welcome her and hug her to make her feel comfortable. Even the last time he saw her a two months ago, he was in a wheel chair and miserable when moved but when I kissed him he said I don't want a kiss from you, where's Yong-Im. He made sure he was moved over to her and as he does every time said to her You're a beautiful girl. That really touched her and made her feel welcomed from the first time 35 years ago to this last time. He was charming and lovable in his own way until the end.
It was Uncle Clayton's personable nature and professional bearing which made him the success he was. Some of the first stories he told me were of him and my father lying under freezing houses in the depression threading galvanized pipe to fix pipes burst in a freeze. He always paid me like I was an adult since I was 7 years old to crawl under houses to clean them then paid me well as a carpenter as I got older. His men who served under him who I met as a child always remarked how they never saw an officer willing to get dirty and work with them to get the mission completed like Commander Borne. It was this fact that he was a mustang in the military sense of being a noncommissioned officer enlisted pilot and then rising to the commissioned officer rank of Commander that best sums up the good in Uncle Clayton. He had the work ethic and loyalty of a wild stallion and the class and nobility of a thoroughbred. No matter how successful he became, he never forgot where he came from, never lauded anything over anyone, and always took care of his family and friends. He was born a decent human being and a natural leader at birth.
Thank you for your service Uncle Clayton. Welcome home Commander. Hooya! With love and respect, Lt. Colonel Gregg Mace, J.D. (U.S. Army, Retired), Yong-Im (Jennifer), Liz, Sue, Emily and my two Daniels plus Baby Bobby.
Mark A. Hopkins
June 28, 2016
Brother Borne,
Although I did not have the honor of meeting you, I am sure you will be missed. Your many accomplishments are impressive. Rest in Peace.
Bro Mark
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5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124
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