Clayton Louie Goerdel, Sr., age 86, of Brownwood went to his Heavenly home Wednesday, August 7, 2024.
Funeral Services for Clayton will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 12, 2024, at Grace Lutheran Church with Rev. Richard Mittelstadt officiating; burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Priddy. Visitation will be held prior services from 9-10 a.m. at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home of Brownwood.
Clayton was born on August 9, 1937, to Olin and Virginia L. (Cox) Goerdel near Indian Gap, Hamilton Co., Tx. He was named after both his grandfathers, Henry Clayton Cox and Louie Samuel Goerdel.
He was baptized on June 14, 1942, at the Lutheran Church in Eden, Tx by Rev. A.B. Wagner. In late 1942, his family moved from Eden to Brownwood where they joined Grace Lutheran Church and attended Church and Sunday School. He was Confirmed on June 14, 1953, by Rev. F.A. Drevlow.
Clayton attended Brownwood Public Schools and graduated from Brownwood High School in 1956. After graduating he and his family moved to Clarksville, Arkansas. They shortly moved back to Texas and settled in Priddy where he met the love of his life, Florene Wagner. They were married on August 24, 1957, by Rev. Striepe at Zion Lutheran Church in Priddy. Clayton and Florene moved to Brownwood in 1957 and were blessed with 5 children: Debra, Clayton “C.L” Jr, Clarissa, Darryl, and Laura.
Clayton managed Swift Turkey Hatchery for several years before its closing. He then went on to become an insurance agent opening Goerdel Insurance Agency alongside his wife, selling insurance in and around Brown County for 35 years until they retired.
Clayton loved travelling to Colorado and going to Mesa Verde, or anywhere that had any Indian history. He had a passion for westerns, guns, ammo, Indian history, and John Wayne! He was a talented painter, even though he would never acknowledge he was, mainly painting scenery, Indians, and of course, John Wayne.
Clayton is survived by his children, Debra Weathers of Keene, Clayton “C.L.” Goerdel Jr. and wife Beth of Justin, Darryl Goerdel of Brownwood, Laura Rodgers and husband Kevin of Brownwood; 11 grandchildren, Jennifer Cox and husband Chris of Cleburne, James Weathers of Corsicana, Ashley Ellis of Brownwood, Natasha Pate and husband Jody of Brownwood, Rebecca Goerdel of North Richland Hills, Rachel Carlisle of Brownwood, Stephanie Goerdel and wife Kerstein King of Zephyr, Cameron Maxwell of Killeen, Ethan Goerdel of Aubrey, Kensey Scheaffer and husband Austin of Gilmer, Jacey Sweet and husband Ranson of Seguin; numerous great-grandchildren; his sisters, Shirley Burt and husband Bill, Julia Ann Pax, and Jane Cooley; brother-in-law, Rubert Wagner and wife Lana of Early; sister-in-law, Elnora Limmer; several nieces and nephews, cousins, and other relatives.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Florene Goerdel; a daughter, Clarissa Goerdel Hardin; parents, Olin and Virginia Goerdel; brothers, Troy Allen Goerdel and Larry Samuel Goerdel; brothers-in-law, Melvin Pax and Joe Cooley; sister-in-law, Lorena Schwartz and husband Melvin; and brothers-in-law, Victor Limmer, Norman “Sonny” Wagner and wife Wanda.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Grace Lutheran Church (1401 First St. Brownwood, Texas 76801) or St. John’s Cemetery in Priddy. Online condolences for the family are welcome at www.blaylockfuneralhome.com.
