OREGON - “Hey Joe,” I'm sorry I had to leave my family and friends, but He has called me home on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, and I’ve been welcomed with open arms. I put up the best fight I could but now I'm at peace. I had 76 great years. To my family, I love you dearly and I will be watching over you.

I joined the U.S. Navy on Dec. 7, 1964, and was honorably discharged in April of 1968 as an E5. I was a plank owner of the USS Brooke and served on the USS Leonard F. Mason. During my time on the Mason, I was deployed to Vietnam. When I served on the Brooke and Mason I worked on the boilers. I was proud to serve my country and I hold no resentment to the Navy for all of my illnesses (2017, Parkinson’s and in March 2023, mesothelioma). If asked, I would join the Navy again. When I was discharged out of the Navy, I worked at the Dane County Coliseum, Madison Gas and Electric working on the boilers, Dane County Highway for five years, and then transferring over to Dane County Parks for 30 years, retiring in December 2008.

I leave behind my loving wife of 53 years, Mona; my children, Serena (Brian) Bales, Oregon, Dean (Jackie) Clayton, DeForest, and Rick Clayton, Oregon; grandchildren, Alyssa Clayton, Brody Bales and Kaiya Bales; and step-grandchildren, Corbin Joyce, Abbie Joyce, Carter Joyce and Keenan Joyce. I am also survived by my siblings, Nancy Prell, Dan (Mary Lou) Clayton, Tim (Joan) Clayton and Tom (Rhonda) Clayton; my sisters-in-law, Pat Yocum and Marilynn (Gary) Algrim; and many nieces and nephews. I was preceded in death by my parents, Don and Mary (Byrne) Clayton; in-laws, Marv and Marion (Gerhke) Wegner; brothers-in-law, Wayne Yocum and Dale Prell; and sister-in-law, Teresa Burg.

I have many great friends and classmates, particularly the coffee gang, Tom, Ed and Tim. We have had some good laughs over the years. Jimmy Dunn who kept me supplied with Bloody Marys, boy were they good! I always looked forward to going on many hunting and fishing trips with my sons and brothers and in recent years going to our son’s lake home in Northern Wisconsin. We enjoyed many camping trips to Northern Wisconsin when our kids were young and when we retired. At retirement, we traveled south for the winter with our 5th wheel until we found our home base in the community of Patriot Pointe, in Mission, Texas.

I want to thank my family for all the help as well as keeping me on my toes; I never gave up. I want to thank the doctors at William S. Middleton Veterans Hospital and Clinic. Thank you, Dr. Emilia Ruiz and Dr. Dan Tortier, for excellent care. I want to thank Agrace HospiceCare for all the help we had at home.

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1150 Park St., Oregon, at 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, followed by a graveside service with military honors at Prairie Mound Cemetery, Oregon. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12 noon until the time of the service on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to Michael J. Fox Foundation or Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Oregon

Funeral & Cremation Care

1150 Park St.

(608) 835-3515

Kenneth L Clayton

January 13, 1947 - December 17, 2023

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