Clayton Maynard Thompson Jr., the son of Clayton Sr. and Juanita (Aasgaard) Thompson, was born on November 5, 1960, in Ada, MN. He lived in Ulen, MN, until the age of 5 at which time the family moved to Twin Valley, MN. Clayton attended school in Twin Valley where he was active on the football team and helped teach youth basketball. He also was involved with the music program and attended state for choir. After graduating with the class of 1979, Clayton attended Moorhead Technical College for two years. On September 13, 1980, Clayton was united in marriage to Kathy Rushton in Ulen. They made their home in Moorhead, MN, for a short time before moving to West Fargo, ND, where they have lived since. Clayton worked for a time at Smith Appliance in Casselton and later for Fargo Appliance. For the past 30 years, he has been employed with Blue Cross Blue Shield in the maintenance department where he worked as a building engineer. In 2013, Clayton was diagnosed with colon cancer and after a strong, courageous battle he passed away, at the age of 54, on Saturday, February 28, 2015, at Sanford Health Systems in Fargo, ND, lovingly surrounded by his family.

Clayton was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. He attended the Annual Crappie Fishing Derby on Loon Lake, near Vergas, MN, for 30 years. Clayton was passionate about archery and was past president of the Sandhill Archery Club in West Fargo. He proudly taught hunters safety for 15 years and was past president of the North Dakota Hunter Education Association. Clayton really enjoyed playing on a local pool league and on fantasy football and baseball leagues. He was a long time member of Faith Lutheran Church in West Fargo.

Clayton is survived by his wife, Kathy of West Fargo; one son, Thor of Moorhead; two daughters, Brianna Thompson and Maren Thompson, both of West Fargo; one brother, Kevin of Hopkins, MN; and four sisters: Wanda Asleson of West Fargo, Lynelle Slininger of Mahnomen, MN, Vicki (Tim) Hurlburt of LaPort, MN, and Kelly (Rob) Sauer of Holland, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; one nephew; and two brothers-in-law.

Funeral Services were held Thursday, March 5, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, West Fargo, ND.

Visitation was held Wednesday, March 4th from 4-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 5:30 p.m. at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, MN. Visitation also continued one hour prior to the funeral at Faith Lutheran Church.