Ural Chester Clayton

Ural Chester Clayton, of Oak Ridge, North Carolina, entered fully into the presence of the Lord in the early hours of Saturday, October 30, 2021. He was 91.

Ural was born to Charles and Lura Mae Clayton of Fort Worth, Texas on July 2, 1930, the second of 5 children. After Ural graduated from Arlington Heights High School in 1949, he pursued a degree of Bachelor of Music at Texas Wesleyan College where he was the president of the Gamma Chi chapter of the Sinfonia Fraternity of America. He then earned a degree of Masters of Church Music at Southwestern Theological Seminary.

Ural spent his life serving as a Minister of Praise and Worship in churches in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Virginia. He also served as the Baptist State Music Secretary of Arkansas for 2 years. During his career, he took choirs to perform in Europe and in Israel. He was a consummate musician and conductor.

Ural met his wife and high school sweetheart, Frankie Maxine Moore, when he was 17. The first time he saw Maxine, she was in her front yard, perched high up in a sycamore tree. It didn’t take long for them to decide they were meant for one another. They married on February 6, 1953, and went on to have 4 children: Debbie, Sherry, Kristi, and Kendall.

In his free time, Ural loved to fish, watch football, work in the yard, and challenge himself with daily workouts. Trips with Maxine to Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the fall became a happy tradition after he retired. He especially loved riding his motorcycle whenever he could. His first motorcycle was a small Harley which he purchased while in college, and his last one was a cruiser. He finally retired from riding at the age of 86! He always looked forward to reading and studying his Bible every day and wove the Lord into every conversation. Throughout his life, he faced every challenge with an unwavering faith in the providence and sovereignty of God. He didn’t hide the light of Christ under a bushel, but let it shine for all to see.

Ural is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Maxine, his sister Charlotte Fox of Bedford, Texas, and his 4 children: Debbie Mitchell (Scott) of Cedar Park, Texas; Sherry Tolbert (David) of High Point, North Carolina; Kristi Adams of Austin, Texas; and Kendall Clayton (Dawn) of Marble Falls, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Kimberly, Kristin, Austin, Ashley, Matthew, Kyle, Grace, Kendall Jr., Darryl, Troy, and Kayla, along with 10 great-grandchildren. He leaves behind countless friends that he made during his many years in ministry. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Mary Margaret, and his 2 brothers, Charles, and Richard.

Ural lived according to his life verse Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” His last breath on Earth was his first in Heaven. He will be dearly missed, but we take solace in knowing that he is with the Lord and that we will be reunited with him one day.

Wright Funerals-Cremations is in charge of arrangements.