Clayton Edward Votaw

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Clayton Edward Votaw on March 25, 2025. He was born on April 3, 1938, to Anna Joyce Votaw (later Woods) at the farmhouse where his grandparents lived in Seminole County, Oklahoma. Clayton had many happy memories from those early years on the farm surrounded by his extended family.

Growing up, he attended multiple schools, but graduated from Shawnee High School in 1956. After graduation, he moved to Casper, Wyoming, where he had many adventures and formed lifelong friendships. In 1961, Clayton joined the United States Air Force and was stationed in Great Falls, Montana, where he met the love of his life, Myrna June Richards. They married in June of 1965, and along with her five children, relocated back to Oklahoma where he could find work. A year later, they welcomed their son, David.  They built a home in Cashion, Oklahoma, and a few years later welcomed their daughter, Krista. Throughout their lives, the family made annual trips back to Montana.  These trips are source of many of our family’s treasured memories.  Most included some sort of mechanical failure of a vehicle, a van catching on fire, being stranded in snow storms or extreme heat, and always somehow making it back home safely.  They fulfilled their dream of moving back to Montana permanently in 1999.

Clayton was a devoted husband, father, and brother who worked tirelessly to support and provide for his family. His presence and love will be greatly missed. He is survived by his children: Michelle (Ricky) Norman, Rick Lancaster, Russell Lancaster, Melinda Nix, David Votaw, and Krista (Paul) Poppema, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Myrna, his mother, Anna Joyce Woods, and his son, Robert Lancaster. While we mourn his loss, we take comfort knowing he is now reunited with loved ones and that we will one day see him again.

A private ceremony will be held at the Corvallis Cemetery with military honors presented by the US Air Force and Corvallis American Legion.