Peter Gayton Claymore

Peter Gayton Claymore passed away at the age of 80 in his home in Gainesville, Georgia, the morning of September 3, 2024, after a long illness. 

He was a native of Washington D.C., born on February 12, 1944, to Wesley and Phyllis Claymore. A graduate of Anacostia High School class of 1961, he entered the Naval ROTC program and enrolled at The University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA, to study history. The morning of June 6, 1965, he married Carla McNair at the Albemarle County, VA, courthouse and graduated from UVA later that day. The following day he was deployed with the Navy where he served for 10 years, gaining the rank of Lieutenant. Peter served on different ships in areas all over the world. In 1975, four years after the birth of his son, he resigned from the Navy and he and his family relocated from Long Island, New York, to Culpeper, Virginia, to be near his mother who was living there at that time. In 1976, Peter and family settled in the DC Metro area, living in Arlington and then Fairfax, Virginia, where he worked for multiple private defense contracting firms. He also continued his education, earning Master’s degrees from Southeastern University and George Mason University. 

An enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, he was a Hunkpapa Lakota and was proud to be of the same band as Sitting Bull. He regularly visited the reservation and donated educational materials to the tribe.

Upon retirement, Peter and Carla moved to Gainesville, Georgia, to be near his son and family to watch his grandchildren grow. He was proud to see them become capable, talented and successful young people. In Gainesville, he was active in social, academic and creative activities. He remained a board member of the DC Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, taught classes at the local college, and worked for H&R Block during tax season. He enjoyed travel, reading, politics, stamp collecting, model trains, and learning as long as he was able.

Peter is preceded in death by Carla, his wife of 53 years, who passed away in 2018. He is survived by his son Carl Craig Claymore; granddaughter, Sophia Rene Claymore; grandson Connor James Claymore; and sister Shirley Marie Claymore and family.

Peter was cremated and will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, where Carla’s cremated remains have been stored in preparation for a joint interment. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, October 12 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Little & Davenport Funeral Home in Gainesville, Georgia. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Peter’s memory to the National Railway Historical Society
https://nrhs.com/ or to the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia
https://humanesocietyofnortheastgeorgia.org/ in honor of his late rescue poodle, Pepper.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.

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