Keith Neil Clayton

Nashville - Keith Neil Clayton, 90, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 18, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee. Born May 8, 1934, in Coffeyville, Kansas, he is survived by his children Norman, Elizabeth, and Ben (Christiane); grandchildren Emily, Maia, Sieren, and Diego; and ex-wife Burneta Clore Clayton. Preceded in death by parents Lucille and Clifford, and brother Melvin.

Keith was a beloved father, grandfather, and professor, known for his warmth, humor, and deep curiosity about what makes us human. Keith built a distinguished career as a psychologist focused on learning, memory, and perception. He earned his PhD from Northwestern at 26 and joined Vanderbilt University's Psychology Department in 1960, where he taught and conducted research for 38 years. In his later research years, he explored nonlinear dynamics and chaos theory, pioneering new approaches to understanding human cognition.

He had many passions-music, painting, meditation, and computers. He sang with "The Vincibles," singing humorous songs about growing older. Keith stayed active well into his senior years, and never stopped learning. As his grandson Diego put it, he was "honest and goofy," brilliant in both mind and heart.

A memorial will be held in Nashville on July 26. Contact Ben at labenclayton@gmail.com for details