The Claytor, Jr.

The Reverend Robert Mitchell Claytor, Jr., age 75, went to confront his maker Tuesday, March 25, 2008 in Canton, NC. Born in Baltimore, MD to Robert Mitchell and Ruth Philips Claytor, he was preceded in death by his brother, William Graham Claytor. A consummate teacher with a brilliant mind, Bob was a writer, counselor and Episcopal priest. He spent many years as a licensed pastoral counselor (Fellow of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors) in the state of Virginia specializing in substance abuse. As an author, he wrote Made Fit for God in that Affliction. One of his great loves was the origins of the Anglican Church and the influence of Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede. He was Chaplain for several institutions in Staunton, Virginia, including Mary Baldwin College, Stuart Hall, the Dejarnette School for the Deaf and the Blind, Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center (working with spinal cord injured students) and Staunton Correctional Center. In the 1970's he worked as a consultant assisting the US Navy in designing their most successful alcoholism treatment model. A member of the US Army stationed in the Yukon Command in Alaska, he taught mathematics following the Korean War. He discovered a love of performing and was difficult to keep off the stage in any capacity, leading to many years performing at the Oak Grove Theater in Staunton, VA where he found delight in utilizing his considerable skill at dialects and accents. Fluent in Greek and Latin, he was educated at Baylor Prep School where he excelled in wrestling. He obtained a BA from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He held Masters degrees in education from James Madison University and Divinity from the University of the South School of Theology in Sewanee, TN. He built St. Matthews Church in McMinnville, TN where he served as Rector. Later he took the position of Assistant Rector at Christ & St. Luke's Church in Norfolk, VA. He was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Canton. He is survived by three sons, Bruce Claytor and his wife, Patra, of Canton, Robert Mitchell Claytor, III and his wife, Helen, of Fairfax, CA, and Paul Claytor and his wife, Michelle, of Waynesville; one daughter, Ruth Reich of Asheville; one sister, Suzanne Montgomery and her husband, Tom, of Bedford, VA; seven grandchildren, Christine Risher, Daniel Reich, Benjamin, Nathaniel and Lucy Claytor, Madeline and Patrick Claytor; two great-grandchildren, Victoria and Gabriel Risher; and a special friend, Christine Claytor. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 30, 2008 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church with Father Tim McRee officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Wells Funeral Homes & Cremation Services of Canton is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to St. Andrews Episcopal Church Building Fund, 99 Academy Street, Canton, NC 28716.

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