John Clayton Baum

Born the fourth of five children to Moses & Irene (née White) Baum in Cross Plains, Texas, John Clayton Baum moved with his family at the age of eight to McAdoo. He graduated from McAdoo High School in 1948.

Clayton proudly served in The U.S. Army from 1954-56. He married the Love of his life, Jamie Nell Simmons of Spur, on March 28, 1957.

After graduating from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1959, Clayton went on to earn a Certificate of Public Accountancy in 1960 which garnered him a position with the renowned international accounting firm, Ernst & Young (then Ernst & Ernst).

He worked in the banking industry during the 1960s and '70s before returning to full-time public accounting in 1982. In 1987 Clayton established his own accounting firm in Laredo, and retired in 2010.

He was a member of Laredo's Northside Church of Christ.

Clayton was an endowed member of the Crosbyton, Texas Lodge No. 1020, A.F. & A.M. He went on to become an endowed member of the Laredo Lodge No. 547, A.F. & A.M., as well as an endowed charter member of Waco Tranquility Lodge No. 2000, A.F. & A.M. Clayton was awarded the Lodge's highest level of 33rd Degree and served as Worshipful Master of the Laredo Masonic Lodge in 1996-97. He was a Master Mason for over 60 years.

Clayton was preceded in death by his parents, Moses and Irene Baum; one brother, Marion Parker Baum; and three sisters and brothers-in-law, Winnie Irene (Sanford) Mason, Mosell (Weldon) McCreary and Lorita (Robert) LeSeur.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Jamie, son, Kurt, and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

At Clayton's request, there will be no viewing or funeral services. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Joe Jackson Funeral Chapel, North, of Laredo and Zapata Funeral Home of Spur.

Clayton will be interred in the Spur Memorial Cemetery.