Clayton Emery Cole

Madison, SD

1934, 1792, Mayo, F-13,
1935, Headquarters, Ft. Meade,

Clayton Emery Cole died Tuesday March 5,2002 at Avera Mc Kennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. He was born in Ramona, SD June 11,1916 to James and Margaret Cole. He lost his parents, only days apart, during the flu epidemic of 1918, leaving he and his sister, Goldie,to be raised and cared for by relatives. Goldie died in 1941. Clayton finished his schooling in Madison in 1934. He spent two years in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Black Hills. In 1939 he moved to Sioux Falls and was employed by International Harvester Machine Company. He enrolled in a class of Architectural Drafting and Machine Design. He served in Europe during World War II under General George Patten in the Third Army Field Artillery, receiving 5 battle stars.

He returned to the International Harvester Company in 1946 for several years. He completed the Elmer Wheeler Sales Course and also the Dale Carnegie Speech Course. He spent many years in various sales positions, retiring after 10 years with the South Dakota Auto Club.

Clayton was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Goldie. He is survived by five children; Jim and wife Susan of Prior Lake, Mn. Doug and wife Susan of San Diego, CA. Joyce Weidenbach and husband Roger of Omaha, NE. Lorie Lauer and husband Dave of Sturgis, SD. Bernie and wife Randa of Las Vegas, NV. Fifteen grandchildren and many great grandchildren, a niece in Washington, and a nephew in San Antonio, TX.

Burial: Graceland Cemetery, Madison, Lake County, South Dakota, USA

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