Clayton L. Cassingham

March 31, 1921 – April 11, 2020

Born in Payette, Idaho to Calvin Ray Cassingham and Minnie Theora (Hoyt) Cassingham on March 31, 1921, Clayton was the youngest of the couple’s five children.

From a young age the children had chores, went to Sunday school regularly and learned to be responsible and how to work hard. Along with Charles (the brother closest in age), Dad scrambled to earn pocket money. They invested in a motorcycle which their father soon made them get rid of; it seems the boys were a bit too reckless for his liking. Before long they invested in an old pickup and made gas money by doing deliveries around town. Later the boys had a truck they used to haul clear to Portland, Oregon. They were busy boys and quite the entrepreneurs.

Dad was 12 years old when his oldest brother Raymond was killed in a freak accident. It was a dark time for the family what with the death of Raymond and the advent of the Great Depression. Dad spoke often about how fortunate his family was that his father always had a job and their family was comparatively well off. Dad knew that many of his friends’ families were struggling; he also saw his parents helping other families with food and support. Dad learned about compassion during this part of his life; he felt he was very blessed.

Dad graduated from Payette High School in 1939. He immediately went to work as a mechanic and welder. He married Doris Arlene Jacokes in Payette where they lived until the start of World War II. Dad Joined the Army Air Corps; after training he was sent to a small air base at Halesworth, England. There he served in intelligence. While in England his first son, Gerald Louis, was born. The marriage to Arlene ended in divorce.

Back in Payette, freshly discharged and ready to start over, Dad went out with brother Charles to a local dance spot one fateful Saturday night. There he met his soul mate. Idaleen Maw. They danced, they chatted and he asked if he could drive her home. She said yes but only if he behaved himself. Thus began the relationship that defined both of them. They married April 14, 1946, and Raymond Lee Cassingham was born February of 1947.

In hopes of finding better-paying work, the little family hit the road for Bremerton, Washington. Dad found work at the Naval Shipyard as a welder. In 1951 a daughter, Marie, was born. While the job was good the weather was constantly rainy and cold. Not long after Marie’s birth the family moved back to the drier climate of Southern Idaho.

Back in Idaho Dad and Mom began the climb to success. They budgeted, they saved, they worked passionately and with purpose and through it all, they raised us with love. They gave us a wonderful background as kids that we still fall back on as adults.

In the beginning it was Dad’s welding skills that supported the family. He learned drafting, layout and design. In 1965 Dad and mom bought Eastern Washington Sheet Metal Company in Moses Lake from Idaho Sheet Metal for whom Dad had worked for 11 years in Boise and Burley, Idaho. Mom taught school and Dad worked very long hours at the shop. He had a large crew that worked for him turning out potato processing equipment. His equipment was used to make french fries, tater tots, chips and dehydrated potatoes. His equipment was used around the world. In 1978 a massive heart attack prompted retirement. Mom retired a couple of years later from teaching and together they began their travels. They visited all 50 states, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Europe. They had a beautiful travel trailer they dragged all over the country, literally. They flew and they cruised; they thoroughly enjoyed themselves where ever they went.

Dad grew up hunting and fishing and it was natural that he shared his love of both with his family. Fishing was really fun, at least for the kids and Mom. Poor Dad spent most of his time straightening out lines and putting worms on for his squeamish daughter. Dad was incredibly patient and always encouraged us. We hunted together as a family. Our parents taught us sportsmanship and how to safely hunt. Those lessons are still with us.

Mom and Dad were married for 68 years when Mom passed away in 2014. Macular degeneration had robbed Dad of his sight by then and since living alone was not an option, Marie moved in with Dad. Until September of 2018 he was able to get around enough to live at home. In September 2018 it became obvious he needed a higher level of care than could be provided at home. He became a resident at Columbia Crest Center where he was treated with dignity, compassion and loving care. Dad kept his wry humor, his love of family and optimistic outlook until the last few days. He passed peacefully in his sleep. He’s still watching over his family; he’s watching from Heaven with Mom by his side.

He is sorely missed by his children Lou Dyas and wife Bonnie of Nampa, Idaho; Raymond Lee Cassingham and wife Valerie of Sumner, Washington and Marie Claflin of Moses Lake, Washington.

He is survived by six grandchildren Vickie Dyas, Debbie Green, Luke Cassingham, Nathan Cassingham, Kim Cassingham and Stacey Claflin-Ahuja. Also surviving are four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Inurnment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Payette, Idaho.

Dad, the world has lost a good, kind man and is a lesser place without you. We love you forever and will always miss you.