H. Clayton Fox

H. Clayton Fox, age 90, of La Grande died March 31, 2007 at his home. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 4, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in La Grande. Private burial will be at the Summerville Cemetery. Viewing will be held on Tuesday from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande.

Mr. Fox was born on December 18, 1916, the son of Clay and Lelah (Day) Fox in Imbler. After graduating from high school he attended Oregon State University. During his freshman and sophomore years he came home to help with the family ranch. During his senior year at OSU his father became ill and he had to forgo his education to help take care of his parents and sister. He eventually went back and received his degree in Agriculture in 1983 at the age of 67.

In 1936 he won the National 4-H Championship for his all around contributions to 4-H. In 1960 he was a National advocate for the Fescue Growers. For over 50 years his primary contribution to the community was his involvement with the 4-H program. He sponsored the Oregon dinner at the National 4-H Convention for many years and provided hundreds of scholarships to 4-H and FFA students that went on to college in the field of agriculture. He was also active on the Extension Service Advisory Board, the Imbler City Council, the Jackman Foundation, the South 40 Club, the Wheat League, the Cattleman's Association the Farm Bureau and Grange. He was the Grand Marshall for the Union County Fair in 1987 and was interviewed and appeared on television for Modern Maturity Magazine. He contributed to many things over the years with time and financial support, including the 4-H, FFA, OSU, NE Oregon Heritage Foundation, the Union County Museum, Fort Walla Walla, the restoration of the Imbler Methodist Church building and the restoration of Hot Lake Springs. On April 25, 1987 he married Loree Buckingham in Salem, Oregon. Loree and Clayton traveled together throughout the United States and the four corners of the earth.

Survivors include his wife, Loree Fox of La Grande; step-children, Carol Bierly-Bond of Long Beach, Ken Bierly of Salem, Anita Lee of Salem and Rufus Bierly of Portland; cousins, Howard and Pat Day of Cerritos, California, Ronald and Kai Day of Monmouth Lakes, California and Deanna and Blaine Snow of Utah; several step-grandchildren and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Fox and a step-son, Art Bierly.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mr. Fox to the 4-H Leaders Association Foundation in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.