Grady Merritt Claybo “Jr.,” age 72, passed away Sat., Sept. 17, 2011, at Peace Health St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham. He was born Jan. 1, 1939, in Cullowhee, N.C., to Grady M. and Maude (Pressley) Claybo.

Grady was a lifetime resident of Birdsview, and he worked as a pot line supervisor at Intalco for 29 years, retiring in 1997. He was married to Shirley Deitz on Oct. 24, 1958, in Hamilton, and they would have celebrated 53 years together in October.

Grady enjoyed visiting with friends and family, traveling, hunting, fishing, gardening, and bird-watching. He was a member of the Wildwood Chapel and Lions Club, and a former member of the Birdsview Fire Department for 25 years.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of the family home in Birdsview; his mother, Maude Claybo of Birdsview; his children, Bill Claybo of Birdsview,  Barbara Haight and her husband, Larry, of Birdsview, David Claybo and his wife, Cindy, of Concrete, and Debra Claybo of Birdsview; eight grandchildren, Kiele Claybo, Meghan Parker, Dustin Claybo, Amanda Claybo, Whitney Claybo, Baily Dalrymple, Nolan Claybo, and Lacey Haight; five great-grandchildren, Tyler, Callie, Gracyn, Race, and Mason; three brothers, Conrad Claybo and his wife, Lucy, Clyde Claybo and his wife, Phyllis, and Bob Claybo and his wife, Dene, all of Birdsview; two sisters, Ann Mathis and her husband, Newman, and Sharon Mathis, all of Cullowhee, N.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is proceeded in death by his father, Grady Claybo; brother, Kenneth Claybo; and daughter-in-law, Karen Claybo.

Graveside Services were held Fri., Sept. 23, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the Hamilton Cemetery, with Pastor Duane Stixrud of the Wildwood Chapel officiating. A potluck reception followed services at the Birdsview Fire Hall.

In lieu of flowers, make donations to Wildwood Chapel, P.O. Box 407, Sedro-Woolley, or Concrete Lions Club Children’s Fund, P.O. Box 40, Concrete.

Arrangements and services under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Please share your memories of Grady and sign the online guestbook at www.lemleychapel.com.