Bill Sebright with his 4th grade teacher Mrs. Holliday. What a thrilling experience for both of them, to reunite at this beautifully restored Clayton School. Mrs. Holliday taught only the 1954-55 school year at Clayton. Starting in the fall of 1955 she taught many years at Deer Park Elementary. Bill taught the 1972-73 school year at Clayton after teaching 5 years in Redwood City, California. The next 29 years he taught at Arcadia School in Deer Park. He retired in June of 2002.. 
Montana Marvin & Wilma Calicoat. Marvin & Wilma raised 3 boys & 2 girls. All but Thelma Spenger still reside in Clayton. They still own Marvin’s Machine Shop in downtown Clayton, they own & run Carl & Rays - Carl & Dons Phillips 66 Service Station, and they own the Clayton Drive In. Wilma also still lives in Clayton.
CHRISTINA NEILSEN, WIND, COWAN. Great Granddaughter Susan Simpson wrote this, "She left her home country, learned a new language, raised another woman's family as her own, married twice for love or convenience, made a home in three states, outlived two husbands, raised a whole flock of kids and grandkids and was purely Danish but American too. A real woman." She was born April 22, 1863 and died March 27, 1954. 
Leno Prestini is something of a legend. Part community character, part local folk-hero, he brought to the Clayton/Deer Park area something unexpected – something unique. Part bohemian, part cowboy, and yet someone everyone could feel comfortable having around. His craftsmanship, simple and straightforward, with little artistic fabrication to it, still endures. Through line and pigment, Leno often spoke to the working class with a clear accessibility. At other times, he seemed to go where no one could follow. Whichever or both, he has left the community a legacy it is finally coming to realize.
Mr. Sam Perrins , "Let 'x' equal..."
Clayton (Art) Stelting was born in Clayton, WA, to Jim and Ruth Stelting. His Mother was born in Clayton, WA. His Grandparents were pioneers from Trysil, Norway, who were early settlers in the Clayton area. Following his graduation from Clayton Grade School and Deer Park High School Art joined the Marines and fought for our Country in the South Pacific Theater. He spent four long years in almost every major battle until the surrender of the Japanese in 1945. He returned to Clayton following WW II and went to work at the WB&L brick yard the following day. Two years later Art joined forces with the Telephone Company in Spokane, WA, where he remained for 32 years. Art and his wife are retired and now reside on the shores of Loon Lake, WA.
PETER COFFIN has roots in Big Foot Valley, now lives in Deer Park. He joined our CDPHS Website team. Pete is an historian and genealogist with unsurpassed skill and talent for detail.
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Lorraine (Milner) and Don Ball owned the Clayton Drive In for many years. Hundreds of local kids got valuable experience and college money working for these wonderful people.
Elmer C. Armstrong was the epitome of Law Enforcement. He began his career as a Washington State Patrolman in Deer Park in 1946 through 1958. He later became the Commander over the entire eastern half of the State of Washington. He earned his BA, Masters Degree, and teaching certificate. He finished off his illustrious career as a Minster for the Ione Congregational Church for nine years followed by nine more years teaching also in Ione, Washington. He was born in 1920 and passed away May 4, 2007. The 29 1/2 years he spent working for the Washington State Patrol were undoubtedly spent teaching others right from wrong and helping people by example. He thought the law was there to help you and that's what he did. 
Wally Parker, our Editor making a successful comeback! 
Bob Clouse, formerCDPHS Webmaster, is a former amateur DPHS boxer and retired salesman and an worked in sales management. Bob made the mistake of scratching his brow when the president of the CDPHS asked if someone was interested in starting a Society Website. Bob was Webmaster for several years. We now have over 2000 different visitors to our Website each month.
A different type of world war two Hero. We recently boarded a tour bus from a retirement home in Spokane Washington, and headed for the Clayton Burger drive in Clayton Washington. Upon our arrival and placing our orders we took our seats around a large table. All of us with but one exception. One gentleman took his seat at a table by a large window facing north. He gazed out the window with a rather pensive look on his face. He soon got up and walked over to our table and begged our forgiveness for not joining us. He explained that he spent many many years in this area. It was his desire to primarily sit and reminisce. With that he went to the back and sat at his table. This man's name is Ralph Reynolds. He is now 92 years old and this is the story he related to us during the course of the day. Mr. Reynolds spent several years during World War II and his story differs immensely from that of most of our gallant soldiers in those troubled times. He has a doctorate of law and two separate degrees in Law. He was assigned as an intelligence officer under General George Patton. He officiated at the war crimes Tribunal trial under the direction of General Patton and conducted such from beginning to end. When he got out of the service he spent 55 years in a summer cabin on the shores of Loon Lake Washington at Granite Point .resort. He was an ordained Minister by this time with his Doctorate. He spent 25 years conducting Open Air Church Services on the Beach, The Services continue to this day and is referred to as the Reynolds Sanctuary. Mr. Reynolds is related to the Biddle family, owners of the Incomparable Granite Point Resort. He was also Pastor of the Wild Rose Methodist Church several miles south of Deer Park for seven years. Still near and dear to his heart. I am certain each person on that little tour bus felt gratified to have met face to face with a man of Ralph Reynolds' stature on a grand and glorious day in the Wilds of Wild Rose Prairie.
Jim Swinyard and his wife Betty followed Jim's parents to Clayton, WA, from Utah in the mid 1940s. They opened a service station and garage. Soon after Jim took over as school bus driver when Scotty McGrorty retired. Later Jim and family moved to Deer Park where the Swinyards opened a garage followed by a Shell service station on Crawford. Then with great acclaim Jim was Mayor of Deer Park for many years. 'THE MAN WITH A MILLION FRIENDS.
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