Love at first sight is still love after 68 years

Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Loretta George/Tribune photo Betty and John Clayton pose for a photo on the porch of Medicalodges.

Although he doesn't speak much anymore because of Alzheimer's disease, John Clayton, 88, does smile. Especially, when his family is around.

He lives in Medicalodges Fort Scott, where his wife, Betty, of 68 years, comes faithfully every day to see him. She is 85 years old.

On Friday morning, the couple was sitting on the front porch at the nursing home visiting with granddaughters, Jill Reynolds of Lenexa and Lara Sursa of Killeen, Texas, along with John's sister, Wilma Underwood, and niece, Patty Homan. Underwood is also a resident of Medicalodges. The family was reminiscing about days gone by.

How they met

John and Betty met on a blind date in 1946 at a Fort Scott High School play, Betty said.

"Our friends, Loyd and Katheryn Rose Tanner introduced us. I only had eyes for John," she said.

Evidently, John enjoyed Betty's company as well, because they went out on dates the following Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Then John returned to San Diego to wait to be discharged from the Navy. Letters flew steadily from Fort Scott to San Diego between the two.

Betty graduated on May 29 of that year from Fort Scott High School, John was discharged from the Navy on June 6.

Betty Edgar, daughter of Sam and Dora Edgar, married John Clayton, son of George and Minnie Clayton on June 22, 1946.

Married life

The couple farmed near the Osage River by Mapleton, and had two children: Jimmy and Sarah Lou.

"We raised draft horses and Angus cattle," Betty said. "John loved living on the farm on the Osage River. He could fish all the time. He was a farmer and I stayed home with the children."

Later John went to work for the Fort Scott school system, retiring in 1991 after 32 years. He was a painter and bus driver for the school district.

"We worked at the (Senior Citizen) center until he broke his hip. I worked on the food, he'd put them in containers," she said.

Seven years ago, John started showing signs of Alzheimer's disease and on June 23, 2013 he began living in Medicalodges following a fall when he broke his hip.

Betty still volunteers with Meals on Wheels.

John's military service experience

Betty retold the story of John's ordeal in the Navy.

"John's Navy ship, Code Victory, sank in the Pacific Ocean. He was a gunner. A suicide plane hit the front and back of the ship. The captain said to jump overboard and they did.

He was on a life preserver for eight hours. There were only seven survivors and John was the last person to be picked up," she said tearing up at the thought of his ordeal.

Family memories

Reynolds told about her memories of her Grandpa.

"He was always so much fun. We were off for an adventure when we went to visit them," she said. "We'd sit on his lap and go through his overalls to find candy. Kids and pets cozied up to Grandpa."

Reynolds said her grandfather had fiery, red hair when he was younger.

"John never saw a child he didn't like," Betty said.

Betty is pretty special too, according to Sursa.

"Grandma made us throw pillows out of his old bib overalls. She made us each a quilt when we got married," Sursa said.

"I embroidered them," Betty said.

Sursa remembers that her grandparents always held hands when walking together.

Betty and John tried to attend all their grandchildren's activities.

Family is important to them.

"We hardly ever missed the grandchildren's games," she said.

"We've had many happy years," Betty said. "A lot of ups and downs but many happy years. It's quite a love story."

Betty's best advice for young married couples starting lives together is:

"Never go to bed mad. Settle your difference before bed," Betty said.