Eliot, ME – Thomas “Doc Clayton, 81, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 27, 2026, at York Hospital. Born and raised in Michigan in 1944 to the Late Thomas and Betty (Richardson) Clayton.

In 1957 his parents moved the family to Florida, where he attended Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, FL. He went on to graduate from Dunedin High School in 1963. Thom received his Associates of Arts Degree from Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, CA. 

He loved horseback riding from a young age and taught horseback riding at Camp-Al-Gon-Quin in Indian River, Michigan for two years before going into the Navy.

Thom enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1966. He made HM1 in less than 4 years. He served as a Fleet Marine Service Corpsman, stationed with gulf company, 2nd Bn., 28th Marines, in 1968-1969, during the Vietnam War, where he earned the coveted nickname “Doc”. He attended Independent Duty School and Nuclear Submarine Medical School. HM Clayton qualified in submarines in 1971, aboard the USS Henry L. Stimson, SSBN 655. He later served on the Nathaniel Greene, SSBN 636. He became a father in September of 1971. He was certified as an EMT in Oct. 1971 at Baccus Hospital in Norwich, CT. While stationed at the Submarine Base in Groton, CT, Mr. Clayton also served as a member of the Occum Volunteer Fire Department. In 1974, Thom was selected to attend the U.S. Navy/Air Force Physician Assistant Program at Sheppard A.F.B., in Wichita Falls, TX. He graduated from the University of Nebraska, in 1976, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medicine. Mr. Clayton went on to serve as a P.A. in the U.S. Navy, rising to the rank of CWO4.

Thom was the director of Emergency Training at the P.N.S.Y. Medical Clinic from 1983-1986 where he trained many corpsmen, HMs and firefighters. Thom worked in the Emergency Room, Family Practice Clinics and served as the Officer in Charge of the Submarine School Sick Call, where he earned a Navy Achievement Medal for developing the first objective tests for claustrophobia. CWO4(SS) Thomas “Doc” Clayton retired from active duty in December 1986 but remained active in Veterans Affairs. He served as Commander of the American Legion Post 188, Eliot Maine for 4 years, as a district officer of 3 years, as Sgt-at-Arms and as Chaplain. He was a member of the VFW, Vietnam Veterans, the Marine Corps League and Submarine Veterans.Thom was active in the early development of the P.A. profession. He served as the 3rd President of the Naval Association of Physician Assistants. He was instrumental in achieving Commissioned Officer Status for P.A.’s in the Navy. He served as the president for the Connecticut Academy of P.A.s. He served on the National Board of Directors of the American Academy of Physician Assistants in 1977-1979. He served as a delegate to the House of Delegates of the AAPA for over 12 years. P.A. Clayton served as adjunct faculty for George Washington University, Nova University and Notre Dame College. He mentored countless P.A. students over his career. He and his former wife Peg set up their own company, Clayton & Co. in 1998 and ran it successfully, providing P.A. and Occupational Medicine Services for over 14 years. Later in his career he received his Master’s Degree in Physician Assistance Studies after many years as a practicing P.A.

As a civilian, Thom practiced as Physician Assistant, for another 25 years. Locally he practiced at Seaborne Hospital, Seabrook Nuclear Power Station and for the Rockingham County Government. He was an avid motorcyclist, wilderness canoer and photographer. 

In Eliot, Mr. Clayton was active, behind the scenes. He was a Marshwood High School band parent, when his daughter Lynda was in attendance. He was involved with the program “Helping Alcohol and Drug Addicts” (HADA) which established the earliest chemical awareness training for MSAD 35 students, where he served as a group facilitator for a number of years. Mr. Clayton was Santa for numerous church and school functions, including the PTO breakfast with Santa. He “played” Santa for over 35 years but anyone who knew him, knew his generous spirit reached far beyond this “role”. 

His last great accomplishment was achieving 45 years of sobriety with his Friday night group and good friends by his side.

Members of his family include his daughter, Lynda Scelza and her husband Richard of Rochester NH, his brother, Greg Clayton of Eliot, ME, his sister, Gigi Nordquist of Oakland, CA, step-grandchildren, Nick and Adam Scelza, his cousins and many friends he acquired along the way. He is predeceased by parents and his brother, John Clayton. in lieu of flowers donations can be made in Thom's name to your favorite Veterans Organization or to Footprints Food Pantry in Kittery, Maine.

Friends may visit Saturday, April 4, 2026 from 10 AM to 11 AM with a celebration of life to be held at 11 AM in the Chapel of the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main St, Rochester NH 03867.

A burial will be at the So. Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale, Maine at a later date.