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Clayton Wade Whitehead was born March 5, 1989, in Alamogordo, NM where he spent his first year of life. His entry into the world was difficult. His mother ran a high fever just before he was born and Clayton went into fetal distress and was born Meconium Stained. His mother and father did not even get to hold him after he was born. He was placed in an incubator and rushed to the NIC unit in Albuquerque. His Great Uncle Jeeper Gilliland was there to watch over him his first twenty-four hours of life. He proved he was a fighter and came home after a few days. Later Clayton moved with his parents to Tularosa, where he grew up until 1998 at which time he moved to CO where his dad was attending veterinary school. Clay attended school in Ault, CO and Nunn, CO. In 2001 Clayton moved to Carlsbad where he attended PR leva Middle School and Carlsbad High School.
Clay graduated From NM Youth Challenge in Roswell and was also certified as a phlebotomist from Youth Challenge. Clayton Continued his education earning a degree in wind energy technology from Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari NM. Because Clay also loved animals, he became certified in dog behavior and training through the NMCD in Las Cruces NM.
Clayton worked various jobs in hospitality, construction and farming. He often helped his Grandpa Sawyer in the restaurant business, and his Papa Parks Whitehead in construction and at Meadowland Farm. Clayton was known to be a hard worker, and he had a heart for helping other people. He would give those in need the shirt off his back when he had nothing himself.
Clay was an avid fisherman. He loved going to Elephant Butte and Caballo Lake to fish with his Grandpa Sawyer. Any chance he got, he was fishing. In Carlsbad, he would go to the Pecos River at least twice a week to fish. Clay was also involved in steer and Jr. bull riding. He rode in Colorado and was involved in weekly buck outs in Carlsbad, where he actually broke his nose riding a bull. Clayton was a fierce livestock competitor, showing goats, sheep and ostriches in 4-H in New Mexico and sheep in Colorado. He won Reserve Grand Champion Cabrito at the Otero County fair.
Like his Papa Whitehead, Clayton loved horses. In Carlsbad, he would come home from school and saddle up the paint horse, Patches, or the big bay, Newt, and go ride in the desert for an hour. Clayton loved nature and the outdoors. However, he could only stand so much of theme parks. On a vacation to California, and after going to several theme parks, he asked what was going to be done the next day. After being informed, we were going to Universal Studios, he said, "Not another theme park, I'm tired of theme parks". Not words that usually come out of a thirteen-year-old's mouth.
Clay was exceptionally intelligent at a young age. He enjoyed learning about chemistry and electrical theory. He outsmarted his Uncle Carey and father at the young age of five when it came to solving a plumbing problem. They were set on buying a special tool to get the job done. Clay, after scratching his head and walking around in the desert, came back with a simple piece of rebar bent like a U that worked perfectly. He was good at finding simple solutions like his Papa Parks Whitehead.
After years of Fighting, Clay finally succumbed to opioid addiction. He now rests in the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His chains are gone. He's been set free. You are and always will be missed.
Until we meet again, I love you Pumkin. Dad
