JOPLIN, MO. — Clayton Parman

December 18, 1916 to September 15, 2009
Roving resident of West Yellowstone, Montana died peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, September 15, at the “Ashton Living Center” nursing home in Ashton, Idaho at the still young age of 92.

Born in Sheridan, Missouri, Clayton was a proud member of the Freemasons and once served as the Grand Master of the lodge in West Yellowstone, Montana. Throughout his life he owned and operated a number of different businesses and did everything from running restaurants and grocery stores to selling cars and airplanes. But, he found his calling when he acquired the Sleepy Hollow Motel in West Yellowstone—which he ran from 1970 until he retired in 1983.

Clayton was a master of “creative” storytelling and once united with the fly fishing clientele that frequented the Sleepy
Hollow, he was provided a fertile environment for a multitude of questionable tales. Many customers came back year after year just to top Clayton in a prank or story. He developed and maintained many scores of close friendships while operating the Sleepy Hollow and his annual summer sojourn to West Yellowstone (which he did religiously up until his death), allowed him to continue telling his tales and giving tours of the area. He was a permanent fixture who many people looked forward to seeing each year, anxious to hear his latest joke or story.

He was preceded in death by his wife; Maxine R. Parman; his parents; five brothers and one sister. He is survived by his sister Edith Brown; his daughter Claudine McPherson; his son Clayton Dale Parman; his grandchildren Wayne McPherson and Kathi McPherson-Johnson; and numerous “adopted” children and many beloved friends.

Clayton may be gone, but to anyone who ever met him, he will never be forgotten.

A memorial service is tentatively planned for June of 2010 in West Yellowstone, Montana.

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