G. Clayton Dudley DVM

1935 - 2025

G. Clayton Dudley, DVM
Tuesday, October 14th run Obituary
WOODBURY – G. Clayton Dudley, DVM, 90, passed away on Friday, August 8, 2025, after a short illness. He is survived by his daughter Wynne Dudley, niece Jill Noelani Sturdevant and nephew Jay Sturdevant (Emma). He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years Georgia Paddock Dudley and sister Janice Sturdevant.
Clayton grew up in Litchfield, CT on the family dairy farm. His parents instilled a strong work ethic, a reverence for the land, caring for animals and most importantly being of service to your community and others. Active in 4H and other agricultural organizations, Clayt was a seasoned dairy exhibitor earning the farm many accolades at Danbury, Goshen and Big E fairs. One of his cows funded a large part of his college education.
He earned an undergraduate and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees at Cornell University. Clayt met Georgia at Cornell and later Wynne was born there. The Finger Lakes region always held a strong connection moving forward with many trips back to Cornell for football games and to the Paddock cottage at Farley's Point. Clayt greatly enjoyed his summer visits there over the past few years and connecting with White/Beresford/Fox, Sweeney/Slenger, and Koon/Morehouse families.
After graduating from Cornell Veterinary School, Clayt worked for the USDA in Puerto Rico. From Puerto Rico, he and Georgia moved to Woodbury to set up his veterinary practice, specializing in small, large and exotic animals. Eventually, the couple opened Sherman Hill Animal Hospital, which would have multiple veterinarians, and Clayt moved towards specializing in equine health and surgery. After becoming allergic to horses and a short relocation to Georgia, Clayt returned to Woodbury and opened an office in Middle Quarter with an emphasis on small animal care.
Clayt and Georgia both supported local businesses and organizations within the community, usually those with an emphasis on education, conservancy and the arts. Both were lifelong "learners" and "teachers" always ready for an adventure and loved to share their experiences and knowledge with others.
Clayt loved history, music, sports and learning about different cultures. He valued knowing things about our world and felt it was important to be aware of things locally and globally. Above all, he felt it was essential to have empathy for others and be stewards of our natural environment. A quiet presence with a sneaky good sense of humor, he loved nothing better than cheering on the Huskies, his beleaguered Red Sox or a favorite racehorse-usually with a scotch. Inquisitive by nature he shared his quiet wisdom freely and cared deeply for those who brought joy to his family.
Clayton will be greatly missed by our relatives, Susie Stumpf (Capt. Robert USN - Ret.), Dr. Bradley Paddock (Amy), David Paddock (Susan), Dr. George "Bud" Knefely, Patricia Paddock (Gerard), Bruce Paddock (Arliss), and several cousins.
Wynne would especially like to thank Joanne and Gail Seymour, Elizabeth Davis, Gretchen Mathes and Jim Press who provided support over the past few years and always made sure to check in on both her and Clayt.
Clayt's memorial service will be Saturday October 18th at 2 p.m. at South Britain Congregational Church, 693 South Britain Rd., Southbury, CT. Burial will be private.
Donations in Clayton's memory may be made to the Baker Institute for Animal Health @ Cornell University, 235 Hungerford Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 or the Mattituck Museum, 63 Prospect St., Waterbury, CT 06702.