Clayton Shank

Monday, October 31, 2011
Clayton Shank

Clayton Eugene Shank, 85, of Grand View, passed away Oct. 27, 2011, of lung cancer, at his home being cared for by his wife, Arlene. A viewing will be held at 9 a.m. followed by a service at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Grand View.

Clayton was the first child born to Guy and Ruth Shank, on April 5, 1926, in Filer. He attended schools in Nampa and Filer and also worked on the family farm. He attended Filer, Molalla and Nampa Mennonite Churches and Sunday School. Clayton was baptized into the Mennonite Church in Filer at the age of 11.

In November 1944, he married Ruth Weaver. From this marriage, three children were born, Ronald, Beverly and Marlene. The marriage ended some years later.

In October 1971, he met Arlene and they exchanged vows in St. George, Utah, in 1972.

Clayton joined Morrison Knudsen in 1974 and together they were transferred to Honolulu, Hawaii, for three years, then back to the mainland to California, New York, Oregon and Arizona until 1987. He then joined Erpelding Construction and built Burger King and Lyons Restaurants and Circle K's, along with Shanico Inns and many malls.

In 1995 he decided to stay in Grand View to remodel his home and build in the local area.

Clayton and Arlene spent nine winters in Arizona on the Colorado River and also in the Superstition Mountains and in Tucson. In the summer months, Clayton could be found on the Salmon River or fly fishing with his guide, Gordon Honey, at Kamloops, British Columbia.

Clayton is survived by his wife, Arlene, and their two shih tzu puppies, Buffey Tzu and Carmelita, at the family home, his sister-in-law, Ruth Shank, his sisters, Irene Ross and her husband, Dean, Harriet Shenk and her husband, David, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Ruth Shank, and his two brothers, Harry and Harold.

A special thanks to Dr. Jeffery Symmonds of St. Alphonsus for his kindness and care the past 22 years.