Remembering unforgettable Ben Clayton

The Clayton family experienced an unimaginable loss last weekend when 33-year-old Ben Clayton, a former camper and summer staff member, died in an automobile accident in Montana. Ben’s wife of three years, Kimberley (Boettcher) Clayton, was seriously injured in the crash.

Ben was known for his many talents and love of music, fishing and ice hockey.

“Ben was a skilled guitarist, singer and songwriter, who found expression through crafting melodies and stringing together honest and heartfelt words. Whatever happiness or hardship life offered him, he always found his way by making music with his family or weaving his thoughts into a song, so many of which we will never have the blessing of hearing,” his obituary reads. 

During his time on summer staff he built several of the heavy wood benches around the grounds, CJ Caufield, a former camp caretaker, recalled.

“He had a love for camp,” Caufield said.

Kevin Wolf was roommates with Ben on that summer staff in 2007.

“As these things tend to go, you lose contact with the people you serve with during those summers but you never forget them,” Wolf said. “Ben was one of the greats. He was an incredible asset to that staff both in his skill set and his personality. He loved the ministry that happened at Camp. He will not be forgotten. Not now, not ever.”

Please keep Ben’s wife, parents and longtime friends of the camp Kathi and Dan, his sister Sami and the rest of his family and friends in your prayers. If you have a story or memory of Ben, feel free to share it in the comments.