Jerrit L. Clayton

Jerrit L. Clayton, a longtime Zionsville funeral director and community leader, died at his Zionsville home Wednesday afternoon March 24, 2021 with his wife and son by his side; he was 74. “Pop”, “Digger”, “Paw Paw”, or “Big J” as he became affectionately known was born July 30, 1946 in Sullivan, Indiana. He was raised in Jasonville, the only son of the late David Arthur and Barbara Jean (Bolton) Clayton. After graduating from Shakamak High School in 1964 and a year at Indiana State, he came to Indianapolis to complete his education as a funeral director and embalmer at the Indiana College of Mortuary Science, living and working for Bill Usher at Usher Funeral Home on Indianapolis’s westside.After completion of his degree in 1966, he returned to Terre Haute to begin his remarkable funeral service career, first at Bedino Funeral Home then at Patrick J. Ryan Funeral Home. It was while working at Ryan’s he met the woman he would share the remainder of his life’s journey with, his wife of 53 years, Melinda Anderson whom he wed July 8, 1968 in Terre Haute.Later that year, they would move to Indianapolis as an opportunity at the highly regarded Flanner and Buchanan Mortuaries presented itself. Within a few months, a position at their Zionsville Chapel was offered to him; his new “home” was found. For the next 52 years, he grew to be known as Zionsville’s “undertaker”, caring for thousands of “friends and family”; a role he was humbled to have and committed himself to.Led by a simple philosophy of “to get everything out of life you want, you must be willing to help others get what they want”, he and mom would build a life of service to their community; he as Zionsville’s funeral director, and her as owner operator of a local flower shop. Although his reputation and influence as a funeral service leader would grow to be known nationally, mentoring and serving with countless funeral directors and funeral service leaders, Pop was never happier than serving his Zionsville community.Upon his retirement in late 2012 as Sr. Vice President of Flanner and Buchanan, he began to spend significant time with mom at their Sarasota, FL home, a place of joy they shared together for 23 years. A “retirement” that did not include some form of funeral service was not for him as he partially returned to help Paul St. Pierre at Simplicity Funeral Care in Zionsville until his health forced a slow-down.Dad believed in giving back and getting involved. He gave of himself in many capacities including 20 years as a Zionsville Volunteer Fireman, President of the Zionsville Cemetery Association, President of Zionsville Little League where he was awarded the prestigious McKamey Award for distinguished service.He also served on Zionsville’s Sullivan Munce Museum Board, Zionsville Rotary where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, Zionsville Jaycees, Zionsville Lions Club, the Zionsville American Legion, and serving on the board of the Community Foundation of Boone Co. in its formative years. Pop, while never serving in combat, was proud of his six years of service in the United States Army Reserves from 1968-1974.Jerrit was most proud of his Masonic fraternity and the friendships it fostered. He was a 45-year member of Charles F. Frank Masonic Lodge No. 760 F. &.M. (formerly Zion Lodge 197) where he served as Secretary for 5 years; a member of the Indianapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite; a member of the Murat Shrine; member and past president in 2010 of Boone County Shrine Club; and a member of Prather York Rite bodies. His Masonic friendships, both in Indiana and Florida, provided him great joy.Giving back to one’s profession was an important cause for Dad. He was appointed by Gov. Evan Bayh to serve on the State Board of Funeral and Cemetery Service, a professional administrative board that ensures laws protecting Hoosiers and funeral service compliance to those laws is a adhered to; it was a role that included him as Chairman for two years and overall service of 8 years.Although never one who enjoyed school in his youth, Jerrit advocated passionately for life-long learning and continual professional growth. Long after his career was established, he became a lifetime Certified Funeral Service Practitioner through the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, CFSP, in an effort to highlight the importance of bettering oneself to benefit others.To ensure that opportunities existed for people with limited means, never forgetting his humble Greene Co. roots, in 1999 Dad created the Isaac Ball Fellowship through the Indiana Funeral Education Foundation. What started as one man, $1000, and a simple dream has flourished into 160+ Isaac Ball Fellows, nearly a quarter-million dollars in scholarship money, and a legacy that will continue to forward opportunities to learn without financial hardship as the Ball Fellowship now awards annually a $5,000 scholarship to one worthy future Indiana funeral service student.Dad also took his passion for education and fundraising beyond Hoosier borders. For many years he served on the board of the Funeral Service Foundation, the National Funeral Directors Association’s philanthropic foundation, serving as its chairman in 2003. During his time of service, FSF would begin a campaign that would involve all of funeral service, raise millions of dollars to further the future of funeral service, while placing learning opportunities for all, public awareness about funerals and consumer advocacy in the forefront of its mission.Jerrit volunteered his time and expertise in 1988 to the Indiana Funeral Directors Association, continuing to serve its cause until the final years of his life. He was its 115th President in 1995-1996 and represented Hoosier funeral service as NFDA’s Indiana Policy Board Member for 8 years. His volunteer heart and investment of his time created lasting friendships that made not only his work, but also his life abundantly full. Dad and Mom travelled the country advocating for the value of caring for the living and the dead, and together lived a remarkable life.Throughout Dad’s amazing career and life, it was never more than about people. He valued friendships made, those he cared for, experiences he shared. Without a doubt, he truly loved what he did and who he did it for; forever loyal, naturally compassionate, genuinely authentic, Pop unquestionably left this world a little better than he found it!Jerrit is survived by his wife, Melinda; his son, David Andrew “Andy” and his wife, Sheri; his “Sweetie”, granddaughter, Bailey Suzanne; and his “Rebel”, grandson David Jerrit. Several Clayton and Bolton cousins survive as well.A memorial service honoring his life inclusive of Masonic rites was held at 3 pm, Saturday, April 3, 2021 at the Palomino Ball Room, 481 S. 1200 E. Zionsville, with visitation from 1 to 3 pm. A private family burial will take place at Zionsville Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana Funeral Education Foundation, 1305 W. 96th St., Suite A, Indianapolis, IN 46260 or the charity of your choice.

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