Charles Murray Clayton

Charles Murray Clayton Reverend Monsignor Charles Murray Clayton, a faithful priest of both the Alexandria and Shreveport dioceses passed away in the company of his immediate family in Vidalia, Louisiana on Friday, September 25, 2015. Father Clayton was born in Natchez, Mississippi on January 6, 1929, to Robert Waddell and Lucille Murray Clayton, Sr. He received his undergraduate degree from Springhill College in Mobile, Alabama, before attending seminary at St. Joseph Seminary in Covington, Louisiana. He completed his priestly training at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio, before being ordained as a priest of the Diocese of Alexandria on May 26, 1956. During his initial assignment as a Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Alexandria, Father Clayton also served Bishop Charles P. Greco as Editor of The Church Today for the Alexandria Diocese prior to being named Chancellor of the Diocese of Alexandria in 1967. He served in that capacity until Bishop Greco named him Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shreveport in September of 1969. During his twenty-four years as Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shreveport, Father Clayton's remarkable pastoral abilities transformed the Broadmoor congregation into the largest Catholic worship community in North Louisiana, with a vibrant school and a vast array of programs and outreach ministries including sponsorship of an orphanage in Saltillo, Mexico. Hispanic Ministry was something very dear to Father Clayton's heart and his fluency in the language along with his personal leadership helped spark the early formative years of outreach to the Latino community by Shreveport's Catholic faithful. Prior to his retirement, Father Clayton in his last years of active priesthood, brought his special brand of ministry to the Catholics of West Shreveport by serving as Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, who embraced his loving nature and benefited from his strong pastoral leadership. A truly gifted man of God, Father Clayton was a wise spiritual counselor, a dedicated prison minister, ecumenical pastoral leader, a talented musician who could play the trumpet quite well in his youth, a community activist and a dear friend to so many who were connected to him through the countless weddings, baptisms, and funerals he performed as a priest. His sharp sense of humor combined with his gifted ability as a storyteller and homilist made him a joy to be with. He will live in the hearts of thousands of area Christians for many years to come. Visitation for Father Clayton will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shreveport, LA on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 from 5:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. The Rosary and Vigil Service will be at 6:00 p.m. Father Clayton's Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Church Thursday, October 1, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. with Bishop Michael G. Duca as the Principal Celebrant joined by the priests of the Diocese of Shreveport and Diocese of Alexandria. Burial will follow at Rose-Neath Cemetery in Bossier City, LA. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Robert "Bob" Waddell Clayton, Jr. and Anna Krueger Clayton. Father Clayton is survived by two nephews, Robert Waddell Clayton, III and wife Karen of Ferriday, Louisiana, and Charles Elliot Clayton and wife Pamela of Vidalia, Louisiana. He is also survived by two nieces, Diane Clayton Martin and husband J.D. of Clayton, Louisiana and Mary Clayton Elliot and husband Glen of Lake St. John, Louisiana as well as numerous of great- nieces and nephews. The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Doctors without Borders, 333 Seventh Avenue, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10001.