Glenn "Junior" Clayton

Glenn “Junior” Clayton passed away peacefully at the age of 95, on August 22, 2024, in Littleton, Colorado. 

Born on April 8, 1929 in Corydon, Iowa to Glenn “Alec” and Gretchen Clayton. The family faced great hardship early in life. In 1935, at the age of 6, he left Iowa with his mother and father to escape the harsh realities of the Great Depression. They were headed to California, but upon seeing the daunting mountains, Glenn’s mother decided to settle in Englewood. Their first home was a small one-room cabin at Cherokee and Hampden Ave. Despite the challenging beginning to Glenn’s life, he never complained. Even as a child when he slept under a covered porch and woke up layered in snow. Or as an adult when he would sleep on the floor or in tight quarters. He would always begin the day with a smile and great anticipation for what goodness was coming his way.

Glenn attended Englewood high school, where he excelled in athletics. He played both baseball and football with pride and determination. In the summers he would work tirelessly on his uncle's dairy farm in Sandwich, Illinois, where he delivered milk to notable figures, including Al Capone.

Upon graduating from high school in 1947, he received athletic scholarships from the University of Denver and Fort Lewis College. He started his college journey at the University of Denver and later transferred to Fort Lewis College where he continued to play football and majored in physical education. After graduating in 1950, he married his high school sweetheart, Norma Jean Lorenzo. 

The couple initially lived on Norma Jeans parents' farm on So. Logan, where their first daughter, Jandee, was born. They later built a home at Huron and Belleview where their son, Scott, and second daughter, Kerry, arrived. In 1962, they purchased "the Farm" in Littleton on W. Bowles Ave. Family life at the farm had many adventures, including a significant flood in 1965. Despite the six feet of water that filled their newly remodeled home, Glenn’s response was to grab a shovel and go to work, only to find the garage had been washed away.

As a plumbing contractor, Glenn started his own company, demonstrating remarkable diligence and work ethic. His business was later taken over by his son, Scott. Who kept the company name in honor of the reputation he had built.

Glenn was deeply devoted to his family and spent many years skiing at Winter Park, where he became a ski jumping coach in the mid-60s for his son Scott. He later went on to judge at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. Glenn loved ski jumping! 

Upon retiring at 65, Glenn and Norma Jean moved to a lakefront home in Longmont. There, he delighted in driving the boat for hours, pulling his kids and grandkids with patience and joy.

Glenn passed away peacefully on August 22nd 2024 with his daughter Kerry by his side holding his hand. His legacy of dedication, perseverance, warmth, kindness and love will be cherished and remembered by all fortunate enough to have known him. He was deeply beloved. 

Glenn was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Norma Jean Clayton and grandson Luke Clayton. He leaves behind a loving family, including his daughters Jandee Camozzi and Kerry Clayton; his son, Glenn Scott Clayton; three grandchildren, Clayton Camozzi, Cierra Olmsted, and Landis Clayton; and eight great-grandchildren, Matthew Olmsted, Lucy Olmsted, Kelsey Olmsted, Ilah Clayton, Leo Clayton, Luca Camozzi, Claire Camozzi and Gianna Camozzi

A service to honor and celebrate his life will be held at Hudson Gardens on Friday, October 4th, 2024 at 11:00am. Glenn's legacy of love and warmth will be cherished and remembered by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Juniors' memory to Safe Moves for Seniors at https://www.safemovesforseniors.org/denvereast

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