Ira Clayton Landrith did not like his first name, so he always went by his middle name.

Clayton was born at home, in an apartment above the United States Post Office in Bartlett, Labette county, Kansas where his father, Leon Landrith was the Postmaster. When Clayton was 11 months old his mother Rhuie (McPherson) Landrith died of pneumonia a complication of influenza during the 1918 epidemic.

Clayton went to live with his Uncle Gerald McPherson and Orpha (Nash) McPherson when his mother died and was raised by his Aunt and Uncle with their two daughters, Faye and Vera McPherson.

Coincidentally, he was raised by his Aunt Orpha (Nash) McPherson, who married his Uncle Gerald McPherson and Clayton's wife, June Ellis, was raised by Orpha's sister Orilla Helen (Nash) Ellis who married her Uncle Roe Ellis. Clayton grew up thinking June was his cousin.

Clayton grew up on the farm in Labette county, Kansas until Gerald moved the family to Kansas City, Missouri during the depression. After Gerald worked there 25 years, he retired and moved back to the farm. Clayton attended Paseo High School in Kansas City, Missouri the first two years of high school but graduated from Chetopa High School in Labette county, Kansas, which he attended the last two years of high school.

Clayton enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during World War II aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Lawrence as a ship's cook, first class. He was injured in March 1945 and subsequently discharged August 17, 1945. He was employed as a timekeeper for the U.S. Postoffice in Kansas City and retired in 1976 after 31 years service. He was a long-time member of the Kansas City Baptist Temple.

On August 13, 1943 he married June Evelyn Ellis at San Rafael, Marin county, California. Their 47 year marriage produced one daughter, Peggy Ann Landrith Nutt of Adrian, Michigan, who survived him.

Other survivers included his half-sister Wilma Jean Landrith Beets of Kansas City, his only granddaughter, Ginger Eileen Miner of Kalamazoo, Michigan, a son-in-law Donald D. Nutt of Adrian, MI, and three step-grandchildren, Paul L. Nutt of Toledo; OH; Timothy L. and Faith A. Nutt still at home in Adrian, MI.

Preceding him in death were his father and mother; his uncle, Gerald L. McPherson and his wife Orpha (Nash) McPherson. His cousin, whom he loved as a sister, Vera (McPherson) Brown also preceded him in death. Her sister, his cousin, Alma Faye (McPherson) Reppeto survived him.

Funeral services were Monday, Nov. 13, 1995, at D.W. Newcomer's Chapel at Floral Hills Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.