Obituary of Clayton A. Thomas

Clayton A. Thomas, 96, of Ashville, formerly of 4 Bloomer St. in Sinclairville, died at 2:35 p.m. Wednesday (May 19, 2010) at the Lutheran Home & Rehabilitation Center. An area resident since 1943, he was born January 13, 1914 in Buffalo, NY, the son of the late Clarence and Olive Raffter Thomas. A machinist for over 20 years, he had owned and operated Sinclair Metal Case in Sinclairville and formerly JC Metal Place in Jamestown. He had also attended the DW Woodard Aircraft School in LeRoy, NY and been a private pilot since 1965. Clayton was a 36 year member of the Elks Lodge. He enjoyed building and flying model airplanes and had operated a small shop in his home while being active in local flying clubs. He was avid hunter and fisherman as well. Surviving are three daughters: Patricia Ferraro of Falconer, Nancy Costanzo of Jamestown and Elaine (Ed) Jensen of Ashville; eleven grandchildren: Thomas Clayton Crandall, Rodney Reid Crandall II, Gregg Eugene Crandall, Joseph Patrick Ferraro, Patti-Jo (JR) Scaglione, Chip (Cindy) Swanson, Carolyn Curry, Scott Swanson, Terry (Lisa) Barrett, June Matherly and Jerry (Barb) Klein; and 27 great-grandchildren and 22 great great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, June Sawdey Thomas, whom he married September 11, 1936 and who died May 4, 1999; a grandson, Jeff Costanzo who died January 15, 1995; and a sister, Marian Warren. The funeral will be held at 5:00 p.m. Sunday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Daniel S. Rumfelt will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. An Elks Lodge Memorial Service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Sunday immediately prior to the funeral service. Friends will be received for two hours prior to the services in the funeral home Sunday. Memorials may be made to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701; or the Elks Lodge, 339 E. Fourth St., Jamestown, NY 14701.