"Grandpa Bus as we so lovingly call him when we speak of him will be dearly missed for all of us who considered him, Pat and the rest of the family part of our family. To Pat, their children and grandchildren we send our deepest sympathy, prayers and love. We wish we could be in Colo during this time with them. Bus will always be missed by those of us who knew and loved him. He was full of life, love, caring and mischeif and was devoted to his famiy. We will keep his memory in our hearts forever and are so very greatful that we got to know and love him."
In loving memory of
Clayton Michael Carmody
April 5, 1923 - December 26, 2012
Clayton M. (Bus) Carmody, lifelong resident of Colo, Iowa, dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, and the list goes on, including friend, mentor, community leader, and initiator, died Wednesday evening, December 26, surrounded by loving family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Pat, son, Thomas (Laurie) of Phoenix, and six daughters, Cathryn Carmody of Ames, Chris (Charles) Rasmusson of Nevada, Sue (Harold) Knoesel of St. Louis, MO, Sally (Michael) Keeney of Salem, OR, Beth (Bobbie) Johnson of Phoenix, and Andrea (Rick) Meade of Southern Pines, NC, 15 grandchildren, 16 great grand-children and one great-great grandchild, and countless friends and loved ones.
Clayton was born April 5, 1923, to Thomas and Florence (Kniel) Carmody, the third of four children. He was raised on the family farm outside Colo. He graduated from the Colo Community Schools in 1940. He was a proud member of the undefeated 1938 Blue Devil football squad. After graduation he and high school friends traveled to California and worked in the Long Beach shipyards. He returned to Iowa and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943.
During World War II he served on the USS Reno in the Pacific Theatre. Before deployment, he met Alta "Pat" Hammond. He asked if he could write to her and the romance bloomed. The Reno was torpedoed on November 4, 1944, Clayton stayed with the ship as it returned to Charleston, SC, for repairs. While there Clayton and Pat were married in Red Bank, New Jersey, on July 7, 1945. They lived on the Charleston naval base until the war ended. They returned to Colo, settled on the family farm, and raised a family.
During his life Clayton was a farmer, rural mail carrier, home builder, entrepreneur, and community leader serving as mayor of the City of Colo for 27 years. He was a devoted Democrat. He was an honorary member of the Colo Fire and Rescue and self appointed Low Sheriff of East Story County. He was an active member of the Colo Development group, American Legion, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Mayor's Association and Grandfathers of Distinction. On November 4, 2009, the 55th anniversary of the Reno being hit, he was a proud participant of the Iowa Veterans Honor Flight, accompanied by four grandsons.
Clayton was a quick-witted, practical joker who always enjoyed a laugh, never took life too seriously, and never believed in wasting opportunities. He was proud of his Irish heritage, his faith, community, and his family. He enjoyed hosting his annual family golf tournament over the last 18 years and visiting the Country House for coffee break to discuss the local news and debate politics.
He and his presence will be greatly missed by his family, friends and the Colo community. Clayton was preceded in death by his parents, eldest daughter, Michelle on May 9, 1950, grandson Shea Carmody Keeney, brother Carroll, and two sisters Elaine Janes and Evelyn Morrissey.
Visitation services will be Friday, December 28 with the family present from 4:00-7:00 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in State Center, Iowa. A Vigil service and Rosary will take place at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph's on Saturday, December 29 at 10:30 AM. Following the luncheon, the committal service, with military rites, will be held at St. James Cemetery in Colo.
In lieu of flowers, any memorials may be directed to St. Joseph's Church or Colo Fire and Rescue Team.
Chet Ryan Mortuary of Nevada has been entrusted with the care of Clayton and his family.
Tributes
"Clayton and Pat are family to us. We moved to Colo in 2007 when my husband worked for Hillary. We just reminisced about our time with them at Christmas. They made us feel at he when they knew we were so far from our Idaho home. Very sad that we have not seen them for a while. Superbowl 2009 in Phoenix was great. We love you Pat and miss you Clayton. "
"We so enjoyed meeting Bus at Christopher and Lea's wedding. Very sorry to hear of his passing. He has left a wonderful legacy in his family."
"Pat & family, Read your sad news in the Marshalltown T-R this morning. So very sorry. We just arrived in south Texas, so will not be able to attend the services. My Mom, Mary Ann Lawler, has always loved you guys! You did so much for her. Was glad that we stopped at your home awhile back to see you. You & your family are in our thoughts & prayers. God Bless. Jane(Lawler) & Vern Stalzer"
"Clayton Carmody, or 'Bus' as I knew him growing up, was the archetype of a good community leader. He led a good life, and worked very hard to benefit an entire community, never losing sight of his friends and family in the process. In my mind, he was one of the people who made a huge difference to the town of Colo and ensuring it had a better tomorrow. He worked tirelessly, relentlessly, but respectfully, to bring new life to the town. When he was the rural mail carrier, he'd always stop and wish me a 'Happy Birthday' when I was young, and I was so impressed and flattered that he remembered my birthday each year, (I was in junior high before I figured out that he knew by all the cards he was putting in our mailbox). The first time I met Bus, was a month or so after I moved to Colo, a few weeks before I was going to start First Grade. We were at the Colo grocery store, and my parents were talking to Bus, when he was told I was starting First Grade in a few weeks. he shared that his grandson Matt would be in the same class, and then he bought me a strawberry ice cream cone at the grocery store. That may seem silly, and given that was well over 30 years ago, some might find it odd to remember. But to a six year old who didn't know anyone and was scared to start school, it was an act of kindness that made all the difference (I was given the name of a possible new friend, AND I got ice cream.. what's not to love?!). To the Carmody family, you have my heartfelt condolences. I have such a deep admiration for Bus, and as I got older, a tremendous amount of respect for the impact he made on my home town. The legacy he leaves, will live on a very long time, and with it a community that will be forever grateful to the man who cared enough to always find a way to 'make it happen'. "
"I got to know Clayton during his visits to Arizona. He was one of those people that you relate to instantly, and after talking with him you want to see him and talk with him again. He was the salt of the earth. Rest in peace, Clayton. It was my privilege to know you."
"I have had few friendships as meaningful and important to me as Clayton and the Carmody clan's. For over 30 years I have felt like I was always welcome at their home like one of the family. Clayton's passing is like losing a family member. My thougths are with the Carmodys and I will cherish my memories of Clayton always. "Clyde""
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"There's no favorite memory of Grandpa...because there can't be...every day you spent around him was a new and special memory...a Renaissance Man John Wayne is who he was...there was no "it can't be done"...it was "How are we gonna make it happen?"...Aut viam inveniam aut faciam (I will either find a way, or I will make one)...he touched and raised a community...We love you Grandpa Bus...I hope I get to see you on the other side...You'll probably being asking God if he saw the elephant jump the fence..."
"Sue you and your family have our sympathy at this time. Although I never met your dad I feel like I know him as you always had some stories to tell about him. Tell your mom that we have you all in our prayers. I just would have liked to have one conversation with your dad to enlighten him on politics. As you know Sue I think that your dad and I would have had a lively chat and agreed on very little. Love to your family. Ken & Sheryl Wunderlich "
"Sue and the Knoesel family, sorry to hear about your dad, husband, and grandfather. He always had a smile the few times I saw. Sue, you and your family will be in my prayers."
"We will always remember Bus and his sense of humor and the laughs over the coffee at the cafe over the years. Truly fond memories that we treasure. Colo will remember his dedicated service to the community. "