Kelly Clayton Memorial Fund

Hi Friends, pls take a moment to read.  

My dear cousin Kelly passed away Sunday morning at the U from Covid.  Thankfully one of  my aunts (not his mother) is a nurse there and was able to be with him.  My entire family (there are gobs of us) recorded voice messages that she got to play him so he would not feel alone.   

He called my mom right before they intubated him and put him in a coma,  and said the room was “full of family waiting for him”.  He was gasping for air and told her “This is it Gail.  I won’t make it. Take care of my mom. Don’t let her starve. Thanks for loving me.”  His last words to her were gratitude and concern for his mother.  

Before that, he called his mother and said “It has been a privilege being your son. You were the perfect mom for me.” 

He then told the doctor “I’m going home.” And the doc asked “which one?” And he pointed up to the ceiling.  That was Friday afternoon.  

If you never got to know Kelly, just know there was never a kinder or gentler soul.  If you needed a friend, you had a friend for life. He befriended everyone.  He struggled to fit in in school, and dealt with some bullying and unkind people, but he always returned cruelty with kindness.  

He was a jokester and a prankster.  He had a little half smirk/wink look he would make when he was being silly.  Sometimes its the only way you knew he was joking bc he could be so dead-pan witty.  I would look at him sometimes like, “what did you just say?”, then I would see that little half smile and know he was messing with me.   He was like our grandpa that way.  I always imagined him being the one who would grow old telling all the little kids ridiculous and hilarious stories, and spinning yarns like our grandpa did.  

I saw so much more life in front of him that what we have been given, but I am grateful for what we did get.  

Our moms are sisters and best friends, and we are the same age and we grew up from babies together, side by side.  Literally in either side of the same twin home at one time.  I took Kelly’s son Conner in for a time, to help Kelly through a tough time.  Some of you may remember Conner, the silly little sixth kid I had in tow for two years.  Please keep him in your prayers too.  

Kelly was my brother more than my cousin.  I’m heart broken. Our whole family is.  I am glad that Kelly is with our family who has gone before now. And I’m really jealous of the hugs and conversations he is getting with our grand parents. But I can’t help but wish he could have stayed with us.  

Kelly spent the last several years working hard every day driving long haul across the country and sending his money home to take care of his mom, who is disabled but was denied disability benefits.  That is why we are holding a fund raiser.  

Our family will circle around her and take care of her but I am also asking for donations if anyone is willing to help ease that challenge, and help with his cremation costs.  

Please consider donating and pls feel free to share on your page, in fact, I would appreciate it if you would.  The post is also on my personal wall and is public and can be shared.  

Thanks all.

Love, Ariane 

****pls note you can adjust the tip amount to zero when donating. Tips aren’t required for go fund me****