Carl Alfonza Claytor, 78, peacefully passed away at Birch Ridge Senior Living Facility (Royal Care) in Staunton on Friday, December 5, 2025.

He was born April 3, 1947, in Harrisonburg, VA, the son of the late Grover Claytor and Hazel Layne Claytor.

Carl was a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Army and a mechanic at Paul Freed Ford and Jim Snead Ford in Waynesboro.  Carl's love of cars went beyond his career as a mechanic.  He and his best friend Al Allhiser, Jr., co-owned a race car and spent countless weekends racing #22 at Eastside Speedway and Natural Bridge Speedway.  Members of the racing team included brother, Oliver Claytor, and friends Danny Cash and Lynn Sullivan.  Outside of racing season, Carl would be found enjoying his pastime, watching football.  Following the loss of his father, Carl lovingly devoted himself to caring for his mother, reflecting the deep compassion that defined his character.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Carolyn Allen Claytor and two great nephews, Philip McLaughlin and Tristan McLaughlin.

Survivors include a sister, Audrey Lindamood and her husband Wayne of Waynesboro, a brother Oliver Claytor of Crimora; five nieces, Dana Gibson (Rick) of Staunton, Kelly Byram (Paul Bryant) of Crozet, Jody Bryant (Scottie) of Verona, Tonya Mutherspaw (Ricky) of Swoope and Michelle (Shelly) Hall (Kenny) of Elkton; great nieces and nephews, Kristen Gibson, Kayla Gibson, Matthew Gibson, Hunter Byram, Sarah Byram, Ryan McLaughlin and Dylan Dever.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 4-6pm at McDow Funeral Home in Waynesboro.

The graveside service will be on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 1pm at Riverview Cemetery in Waynesboro, officiated by Pastors David Clinedinst and Ansel Seeds, Jr.

The family would like to extend their sincerest appreciation to the staff at Birch Ridge Senior Living (Royal Care), the Staunton Veteran's Health Outpatient Clinic and Gentiva Hospice for the loving care they provided.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in Carl's name to St. Jude's Hospital or Shriners Children's.