Our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend, Clayton Leroy Driver, 83, affectionately known to family and friends as “Hoot”, passed away July 25, 2018, in Pe Ell, Wash. He was the youngest of 11 children born to David Charles Driver and Nina Levi, and was always a family favorite with his genuine charm, quick wit and mischievous blue eyes.
Born in Akron, Colo., Dec. 17, 1934, he lived there until his family moved to Dryad, Wash., when he was five. He attended schools in Dryad and Pe Ell and enlisted in the United States Army at 19, serving three years and honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant. He served his military time in Okinawa and South Korea. After his military service, he spent most of his working life at and retired from Northwest Hardwoods (Weyerhauser), Centralia.
Clayton loved card games, especially double deck pinochle, poker and cribbage, his beautiful farm on Newaukum Hill, hunting, fishing, clam digging, his dog, Whisky, lemon meringue pie and family gatherings. He played slow-pitch with friends from work for many years, was an excellent bowler, built numerous and very creative woodwork furniture and art and always looked for a way to have fun with his big extended family and numerous friends.
Clayton was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Betty Lou Morisett in 2005; five brothers, David (Eldah), Edward “Ted” (Bea), Tom (Rosetta), Raymond (Mildred) and Lewis (Joy); five sisters, Ava (Austin) Green, Mary (Elmer) Green, Iola (Paul) Howard, Ada (Ernest) Lininger and Nina (Gordon) McCalden; and two stepsons, Gary Svenson and Brian Svenson.
He leaves behind his son, Chad Driver of Chehalis; daughter, Jody Driver of Arlington, Wash.; stepdaughters, Sonja Svenson, world traveler, and Robin (Manny) Pacheco of Ft Pierce, Fla.; childhood best friend for 76 years, Jerald (Ann) Elliott; constant best friend and companion of the past 12 years, Patricia Weaver; 12 grandchildren, Kendra Sorensen (Chuck) Pearce, Kiersten Sorensen, Kylon Svenson Bonagofski, Billie Loosle (Eric) Ochsner, Wendy Loosle, Sally Loosle (Mark) Clark, Carlie Loosle, Brandon (Melissa) Svenson, Sarah Svenson (Shane) Holmes, Ashley Svenson, Kari Driver and Garrett Driver; 20 great-grandchildren; and dozens of nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m., Sept. 1, 2018, at Claquato Cemetery, Chehalis, followed by a celebration of life and annual Driver Family and Friends Potluck Picnic at 12 p.m., at Lintott-Alexander Park, Chehalis. All are welcome. Clayton will be laid to rest with his mother, Nina, as he requested. In lieu of flowers and cards, donations can be made in Clayton’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association of Washington.
