Archer Robert Clayton

Archer Robert Clayton, known as Bob, passed away from Parkinson’s disease on the evening of May 8, 2021 in his home in Centerville, Utah. He was the first child of Archer Robert Clayton and Wanda Pack Clayton, and he grew up in Centerville. He had four younger siblings: three sisters; Janet (Plewe), Susan (Rather) and Corliss Clayton; and a brother, Richard. He graduated from Bountiful High School, where he met his future wife, Julia Bryson. He was exceptionally gifted academically and went on to study physics and mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley. He interrupted his academic work to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Detroit, Michigan. After returning from his mission, he and Julia were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1963; and he continued his academic work at the University of Utah. After graduation from the U, he gained a PhD in physics from Cornell University, where he worked in nuclear magnetic resonance, contributing substantially to early work in the magnetic resonance field. He taught physics briefly at Eastern Illinois University and at the University of Utah, then began work as a software engineer in Utah. He initially worked in the materials handling industry, designing and programming software for large automated factories and warehouses. His work also included private consulting in materials handling as well as the design of programs that managed computer peripherals. He and Julia are parents to four living children: Laura Clayton of Longmont, Colorado; Ned Clayton of Centerville; April Clayton of Salt Lake City; and Christopher Clayton and his wife Sharman (Summers), of Bountiful. The family lived in Bountiful for many years, where all four children also graduated from Bountiful High. With children grown, Bob and Julia lived in New York and New Jersey for several years, then returned to live in Centerville. They served a mission together at Brigham Young University-Hawaii. Bob was known for his intelligence, which he never used as a weapon, his dry humor, his gentle kindness and his humility. He respected the abilities and qualities of others and quietly obtained many friends. He served The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in many capacities. He loved music and found great enjoyment in following the professional careers of his musical children. While his last days were hard for him, he had much support and love from his family. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Ellen Ann, and his brother, Richard. He has four grandchildren: Lauree Akhtar; and Archer Robert, Graeme and Emerald Clayton.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 14th in the Porter Lane Third Ward Chapel, 437 West Porter Lane, Centerville. A viewing will be held for family and friends Thursday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful and Friday morning from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services.
Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on Bob’s obituary at www.russonmortuary.com.