F.E. Clayton

F.E. Clayton, II, 90, of Rowena, Texas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

He was born on February 28, 1936, to William Jennings Bryan and Zeola Juanita (Jeffries) Clayton at the family farm in Talpa, Texas. He was a proud member of the 1954 graduating class of Talpa High School. After graduation, he joined the Army National Guard, where he served honorably for 13 years. At the age of 21, he married the love of his life, Leota “Jane” Wade, in a ceremony in Big Spring, Texas, on May 24, 1957. That is when he began his life at the family ranch in Talpa, where they were blessed with 4 children: Bryan, Carol, Sally, and Ben. He operated that ranch full-time until 1997, when he joined the Miles School District as a maintenance man and bus driver. He eventually retired from MISD in 2011 and focused full-time on his cattle until 2018. While he spent a large portion of his life on the farm in Talpa, he moved to Rowena, Texas, in 2005.

F.E. was very proud of his service in the National Guard and loved to talk about his experiences with others and to spend time with those who had served with him. He was also a very active member and eucharistic minister of his church parish, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rowena. F.E. loved coast trips to Corpus Christi, Texas, with his family as well as trips to South Carolina, the Florida Keys, and San Francisco. But enjoyed the beach the most, especially watching his children fish.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bryan and Zeola Clayton, and his sisters Nancy Hallmark and Patsy Leonard.

F.E. is survived by his wife of nearly 69 years, Jane, children Bryan Clayton of San Angelo, TX, Sally Yocham and husband Matt of LaFayette, LA, Carol Granzin and husband Ken of Miles, TX, and Ben Clayton of Rowena, TX. He is also survived by his grandchildren Hunter Granzin, Nathan Granzin and wife Brandi, Clayton Yocham and wife Sarah, and Emily Breaux and husband Dr. Jason Breaux. F.E. will also be greatly missed by his great-grandchildren, Oliver, Ezra, Harper, and Addi, Wyatt and one more on the way.

Public viewing will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger, Texas.  A rosary for F.E. will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rowena, Texas. His Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 am with Father Tom Barley Celebrating. Interment will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery also in Rowena.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity of choice in F.E.’s honor.

The family wishes to give a most profound thank you to the incredible staff at Lyndale and The Springs Memory Care, in San Angelo, Texas for the tender love and care of F.E. They would also like to recognize the staff at Gentiva Hospice as well for their special attention to their family during this difficult time.