Obituary for Clayton Clark Edmondson
It is with great sadness we announce that our Dear "Pops" Clayton passed away peacefully on February 21, 2023, surrounded by his family in Winnipeg
Clayton was born on December 14 1935, in Oakville Manitoba to Len and Barbara Edmondson. He was the fourth child of six in a very sports oriented family. He had that Edmondson competitive spirit, in his youth he played hockey and later coached. In 1963 he coched his team to win the Olympia Trophy for the Bantam "A" club. He loved Curling with his buddies in Portage la Prairie. In 1973 and 1974 his team Ted Moon, Allan McCartney, Bill Thorn and Clayton won the trophies for curling league championships as well as other accolaids. Later in life, he enjoyed playing a round of golf and puttering around in his golf cart.
He married his first wife Maxine (Thorn) in 1960 and they shared a great life for 34 years, till he sadly lost her to cancer. They never had any children, but quickly found ways to spread love to any and all children they would meet. You could always hear the pitter patter of a four legged canine in his home. His face would light up in the company of any dog, even an image on an ad, he loved them all.
Clayton had many business endeavors as a young man, first as a Manitoba Pool Agent to owning a service station. He found his calling when he became a real estate Agent in 1964. In 1968 he became a broker and founded "Clayton Agencies", his own real estate business in Portage. He was an honest man, a person of strong convictions with integrity and his business thrived. He was a founding member of the Real Estate Board in 1975 and in 1996 the Board honored him with a Honorary Life Membership for his many contributions to the local real estate industry and the community of Portage.
Clayton was a supporter of sports in Portage with his team sponsorship and executive roles. Of course Clayton had to sponsor his nieces, Bev Dewis (Larry) and Rhonda Calder'’s Ladies softball team called “Clayton’s Classics” ! They were "his girls " after all, as he affectionately called them.
In 1995 he married Marie-Marthe (Lalonde), who has faithfully been at his side since, till the time of his passing. They both loved to travel and that they did, by air, motor home, cruise ship. Clayton also gained a few "bonus" 30 something year olds out of the union. Roger (Lynne), Rita and Gisele Lalonde, we were honored when he started to introduce us as his daughters, "his girls".
He was the best "bonus" father we could have ever asked for. He was always kind, calm, generous and a great listener. He would offer advice when asked otherwise he quietly listened and watched. He was an eternal optimist and always looked at the bright side. He was our Ray of Sunshine. Clayton will also be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren and great grandchildren ; Lisa Kitzman, Lea (Logan and Sierra Frizzell) and Julian Grafenauer (Lily, Molly and Bradley) and all of our canine and feline fur babies.
Clayton devoted almost 3 decades to the Shriners....again his love of children. Sir Clayton Edmondson P.P. joined Marquette Lodge No.21 in 1969. He later became a member of the Keystone Chapter No 2 and Preceptory, Scottish Rite and the Royal Order of Jesters.
Clayton became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine with Khartum Shriners in 1974. He soon became a very active member of the Portage la Prairie Shrine Club and also the Portage Motor Patrol.
In 1983 Clayton was appointed to the Divan where he held a ten year tenure. In January 1992, he was elected to the highest office of the Khartum Shrine, that of Illustrious Potentate. He joined the Cycle Escort and enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson with sidecar......In 1995, Illustrious Sir Clayton was elected Vice President of the Midwest Shrine Association and served as President in 1999. He had Lady Maxine and later Lady Marie at his side through it all. He met so many people and life long friends along their journeys.
He loved playing games, cards and won often. Can you see his blue eyes and smiling grin ? He was always making some kind of a joke, it took us a while to figure out his wacky sense of humor. Unfortunately when it came to his health, he wasn't dealt a very good hand. Clayton had several serious health issues and medical conditions . Despite that, he very seldom complained. He loved to make people laugh, he was a real prankster. Now that he is reunited with his brothers, they are likely playing cards and thinking of some kind of shenanigans to get them into trouble. Thank goodness his parents, Maxine and sister Phyllis and all the spouses that are there to keep them in line, or knowing the Edmondson's, join in on the fun.
Clayton also leaves to mourn his eldest brother Stewart (Grace) Edmondson from Victoria and his youngest sister Faye (Jack) Hooper from Winnipeg. Several very special nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews etc. and friends.
In keeping with his wishes there will be no service, a private family interment will take place in Carberry in the spring.
In lieu of flowers you may donate to one of your favorite charities or animal shelters/rescues, if you so desire.
The family wishes to thank the staff of SNPCH for their care and compassion, especially his favorite nurse Chantal and to all who took the time to visit him.
We will end this with Clayton's favorite quote :
"People will forget what you said.
People will forget what you did.
But people will never forget how you made them feel. "
I am not sure about you, but our "Pops" Clayton, made us feel special and loved and there is no better feeling in the world. So be kind, and let's see if we can keep his spirit alive in the name of love, kindness and respect.
Heaven has gained an angel.❤ He is forever in our hearts.
.
Clayton was born on December 14 1935, in Oakville Manitoba to Len and Barbara Edmondson. He was the fourth child of six in a very sports oriented family. He had that Edmondson competitive spirit, in his youth he played hockey and later coached. In 1963 he coched his team to win the Olympia Trophy for the Bantam "A" club. He loved Curling with his buddies in Portage la Prairie. In 1973 and 1974 his team Ted Moon, Allan McCartney, Bill Thorn and Clayton won the trophies for curling league championships as well as other accolaids. Later in life, he enjoyed playing a round of golf and puttering around in his golf cart.
He married his first wife Maxine (Thorn) in 1960 and they shared a great life for 34 years, till he sadly lost her to cancer. They never had any children, but quickly found ways to spread love to any and all children they would meet. You could always hear the pitter patter of a four legged canine in his home. His face would light up in the company of any dog, even an image on an ad, he loved them all.
Clayton had many business endeavors as a young man, first as a Manitoba Pool Agent to owning a service station. He found his calling when he became a real estate Agent in 1964. In 1968 he became a broker and founded "Clayton Agencies", his own real estate business in Portage. He was an honest man, a person of strong convictions with integrity and his business thrived. He was a founding member of the Real Estate Board in 1975 and in 1996 the Board honored him with a Honorary Life Membership for his many contributions to the local real estate industry and the community of Portage.
Clayton was a supporter of sports in Portage with his team sponsorship and executive roles. Of course Clayton had to sponsor his nieces, Bev Dewis (Larry) and Rhonda Calder'’s Ladies softball team called “Clayton’s Classics” ! They were "his girls " after all, as he affectionately called them.
In 1995 he married Marie-Marthe (Lalonde), who has faithfully been at his side since, till the time of his passing. They both loved to travel and that they did, by air, motor home, cruise ship. Clayton also gained a few "bonus" 30 something year olds out of the union. Roger (Lynne), Rita and Gisele Lalonde, we were honored when he started to introduce us as his daughters, "his girls".
He was the best "bonus" father we could have ever asked for. He was always kind, calm, generous and a great listener. He would offer advice when asked otherwise he quietly listened and watched. He was an eternal optimist and always looked at the bright side. He was our Ray of Sunshine. Clayton will also be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren and great grandchildren ; Lisa Kitzman, Lea (Logan and Sierra Frizzell) and Julian Grafenauer (Lily, Molly and Bradley) and all of our canine and feline fur babies.
Clayton devoted almost 3 decades to the Shriners....again his love of children. Sir Clayton Edmondson P.P. joined Marquette Lodge No.21 in 1969. He later became a member of the Keystone Chapter No 2 and Preceptory, Scottish Rite and the Royal Order of Jesters.
Clayton became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine with Khartum Shriners in 1974. He soon became a very active member of the Portage la Prairie Shrine Club and also the Portage Motor Patrol.
In 1983 Clayton was appointed to the Divan where he held a ten year tenure. In January 1992, he was elected to the highest office of the Khartum Shrine, that of Illustrious Potentate. He joined the Cycle Escort and enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson with sidecar......In 1995, Illustrious Sir Clayton was elected Vice President of the Midwest Shrine Association and served as President in 1999. He had Lady Maxine and later Lady Marie at his side through it all. He met so many people and life long friends along their journeys.
He loved playing games, cards and won often. Can you see his blue eyes and smiling grin ? He was always making some kind of a joke, it took us a while to figure out his wacky sense of humor. Unfortunately when it came to his health, he wasn't dealt a very good hand. Clayton had several serious health issues and medical conditions . Despite that, he very seldom complained. He loved to make people laugh, he was a real prankster. Now that he is reunited with his brothers, they are likely playing cards and thinking of some kind of shenanigans to get them into trouble. Thank goodness his parents, Maxine and sister Phyllis and all the spouses that are there to keep them in line, or knowing the Edmondson's, join in on the fun.
Clayton also leaves to mourn his eldest brother Stewart (Grace) Edmondson from Victoria and his youngest sister Faye (Jack) Hooper from Winnipeg. Several very special nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews etc. and friends.
In keeping with his wishes there will be no service, a private family interment will take place in Carberry in the spring.
In lieu of flowers you may donate to one of your favorite charities or animal shelters/rescues, if you so desire.
The family wishes to thank the staff of SNPCH for their care and compassion, especially his favorite nurse Chantal and to all who took the time to visit him.
We will end this with Clayton's favorite quote :
"People will forget what you said.
People will forget what you did.
But people will never forget how you made them feel. "
I am not sure about you, but our "Pops" Clayton, made us feel special and loved and there is no better feeling in the world. So be kind, and let's see if we can keep his spirit alive in the name of love, kindness and respect.
Heaven has gained an angel.❤ He is forever in our hearts.
.