Campaigning Shropshire businessman dies aged 67
A man who campaigned for his county over the past half century in the development of Shropshire and of Telford, has died after a short illness at the age of 67.
John Clayton was a champion of many causes, including his commitment to better rail services for Shropshire which he pursued vigorously.
Among his many county appointments, he had been a partner of Barbers estate agency, president of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, chairman of Shropshire Enterprise Partnership, chairman of Business Link Shropshire and chairman of Shropshire Strategic Rail Group and the Mid Wales Rail Group.
Mr Clayton, who lived at Grinshill, near Shrewsbury, also developed a particular interest and expertise in planning matters and was in great demand to help with some of the county's major projects.
More than 30 years ago, he survived one of the county's worst freak accidents when he was taking sales particulars over a shop in Ironbridge and the area in which he had been standing was struck by a runaway lorry. He managed to escape through a rear window but four others died that afternoon.
His family now recall how fortunate he felt and, since that moment, made every moment matter and tried to live by his own father's maxim – to leave things a little better than you found them.
Son of legendary Shropshire estate agent Jack Clayton and his wife Joan, John was brought up in the family home on the edge of Dawley which had been acquired by his great-grandfather in 1902.
Educated at the local primary school and then Coalbrookdale High School, he studied at the College of Estate Management in London from where he and his brother Jeff gained degrees at the same time.
After working in London for some years, he came back to Shropshire and in 1975 was appointed a partner of Barbers, following in his father's footsteps. He held that position for 35 years.
Mr Clayton was a governor of Shrewsbury College of Art and Technology and the chairman of Sash – the Shropshire Association of Sheltered Housing, helping people with enduring mental health issues – which he and his wife Christine both supported.
He was a keen skier and took up motor racing when he was in his sixties, winning a number of cups.
He was heavily involved with the restoration of Grinshill Church.
Mr Clayton is survived by his wife, his sons John and James and his mother.
There is to be a private family cremation on April 23 followed by a service at Grinshill Church to celebrate his life.
