Clayton Fulknier II

CLAYTON FULKNIER II

Cedar Rapids

Clayton W. Fulknier II of Cedar Rapids, passed on Monday, March 24, 2014, in St. Luke's Hospital. A gathering will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, at the Cedar Memorial Park Family Center & Library, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 3 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. The Rev. Jerry Springston, the Rev. Martin Dwyer and the Rev. Tammy Buseman will officiate.

Survivors include his wife, Diane Frazier Fulknier; his daughter, Lauren (Edward) Vorwald of Cedar Rapids; his son, John Clayton Fulknier of Cambridge, Mass.; his foster son, Paul (Kathy, children Jonathan and Kimberly) Thai of Folsom, Calif.; and two sisters, Lynn Terpening of New Syrmna Beach, Fla., and Eve Spagnuolo of Bradenton, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, David Fulknier.

Clay was fortunate to have Jamie Broghammer and her husband, Jon, as neighbors. Jamie was like a second daughter to Clay. His furry friends, Mary-Kate and Opie, and his feathered companion, Beau, were also an important part of his life.

Clay was born Sept. 21, 1946, in Charleston, W.V., the son of Clayton and Virginia (Warren) Wheeler Jr. He married Diane Frazier on June 23, 1973.

Growing up in Charleston, W.Va., a major influence during childhood were neighbors Raymond Lewis and his wife, Stross. Raymond, the brother of former United Mine Workers of America president John L. Lewis, worked for the UMWA in Charleston and Washington, D.C. The Lewises had no natural children but "adopted" Clayton until their deaths. Clay enjoyed trips to D.C. and spending time with the Lewis family.

Related to the Blizzard family of coal mining fame, Clay's uncle Bill Blizzard led the famous Battle of Blair Mountain where thousands of miners fought for the right to unionize the coalfields. Lacking uniforms, the miners wore red bandanas to distinguish themselves from the company gunmen. Hence the term "redneck" was born.

A member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Clay graduated from Marshall University and personally knew many of the student athletes who died in the tragic airplane accident of 1970. While a student at Marshall, he became a caregiver of a disabled graduate student, Jerry Treasnon, and lived with the family. Jerry, confined to a wheelchair, passed on later the following summer. Clay often spoke of the hope and inspiration Jerry taught him during their short friendship.

Clay began his career in economic development in West Virginia state government and then became the assistant director of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development. As one of the first certified economic development directors in West Virginia, he had the honor of teaching colleagues throughout the country at the Economic Development Institute for many years.

In 1985, the family moved to Burlington, Iowa, where Clay was the director of the Burlington/West Burlington Chamber of Commerce and Burlington Area Development Corp. His first task, rescuing the Port of Burlington building which was facing demolition. The community united to construct a beautiful and practical Port of Burlington venue, which has become one of southeast Iowa's strong tourism attractions featuring multiple uses.

Another of his early endeavors, working with Caterpillar in Moline to seek use for a large tract of land purchased in the early '80s in anticipation of building a plant. Due to economic decline, they abandoned the idea yet did not have a buyer for the property. Clay and his volunteers worked diligently with Caterpillar to have the land donated and Flint Ridge Business Park was born. Today, the business park employs hundreds. A thriving

economy exists in what was once a vision from empty land whose original dream had died.

A lifelong Presbyterian, Clay previously served as an elder. Clay co-founded Grade-A-Plus, an organization with a mission of promoting drug and alcohol prevention in schools and the workplace. His personal framework for communities consisted of sound economic, political and social cohesion. Along with his compassion for others, he had a wonderful sense of humor. A member of Rotary, he once won a gold

medal at the Burlington Service Club Olympics in the joke telling category.

In 1997, he began his career as a management consultant working with two firms out of Chicago, until his retirement in 2009. Clay was proud to have travelled to 47 of the 50 states. (Sorry Alaska, Hawaii and Vermont)

Five months ago Clay had the honor of walking his daughter, Lauren, down the aisle. Known for his love of rock and roll, he was an outstanding dancer, surprising many wedding guests as he celebrated on the dance floor that October evening.

During retirement, Clay enjoyed his role as the family's personal chef and writing letters to the editor of The Cedar Rapids Gazzette. Clay and Diane were grateful for the time they shared after retiring. Clay would joke and say his favorite part of retirement was that every day was Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mission of Hope.