JL (James Leroy) Clayton Sr
June 11, 1930 ~ April 18, 2016
J.L. (James Leroy) Clayton, 85, of Linden, slipped away at his home, on April 18, 2016, due to heart failure. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 21, 2016 in the Chapel of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Linden with Bro. Bryan Baggett officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the chapel service. A private burial will follow, under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Linden.
J.L. was born into a big Clayton family, and raised in Cass County and attended Linden High. He is survived by a brother, Charles Clayton. J.L.s work, in many aspects of home construction, took him throughout Texas. Late in life, in East Texas, J.L. re-sold railroad ties. J.L. was an intelligent man who could do anything that he set his mind to do. Perhaps, J.L.s greatest gifts were finding friends, and talking with his silver tongue.
J.L. was a cowboy at heart, owning horses most of his life. You may remember J.L. Clayton as Lame Brain the clown (bullfighter) for the Linden Rodeo. He made frightening rides in an open, red chariot, pulled by a wild, angry bull!
His silver tongue and daredevil antics provided rodeo entertainment. His clown makeup and full costume were a big part of any Linden kids rodeo memories of the 1960s. Some of you were scared of the Clown, you know who you are! Once the bronc and bull riders were on the ground, J.L.s fearlessness provided protection from mean horses and vindictive Brahma bulls. J.L was among those who tirelessly volunteered, and make the Linden Rodeo a success.
J.L. is survived by: three sons, three daughters-in-law, seven daughters, two sons-in-law, twenty grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and one brother.
He was preceded in death by two daughters, one son and three grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Linden Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 863, Linden, TX 75563.
J.L. was born into a big Clayton family, and raised in Cass County and attended Linden High. He is survived by a brother, Charles Clayton. J.L.s work, in many aspects of home construction, took him throughout Texas. Late in life, in East Texas, J.L. re-sold railroad ties. J.L. was an intelligent man who could do anything that he set his mind to do. Perhaps, J.L.s greatest gifts were finding friends, and talking with his silver tongue.
J.L. was a cowboy at heart, owning horses most of his life. You may remember J.L. Clayton as Lame Brain the clown (bullfighter) for the Linden Rodeo. He made frightening rides in an open, red chariot, pulled by a wild, angry bull!
His silver tongue and daredevil antics provided rodeo entertainment. His clown makeup and full costume were a big part of any Linden kids rodeo memories of the 1960s. Some of you were scared of the Clown, you know who you are! Once the bronc and bull riders were on the ground, J.L.s fearlessness provided protection from mean horses and vindictive Brahma bulls. J.L was among those who tirelessly volunteered, and make the Linden Rodeo a success.
J.L. is survived by: three sons, three daughters-in-law, seven daughters, two sons-in-law, twenty grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and one brother.
He was preceded in death by two daughters, one son and three grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Linden Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 863, Linden, TX 75563.
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Mr. J.L. always comes to my mind when I think of the Linden rodeo. We spent lots of years watching him as the clown. I found it amazing he was not afraid of the bulls. My prayers are with his sweet family.
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Fly high with the Angels. I know your up there visiting with all the people that has passed that you held so close and loved. Rest In Peace.