Jerry Clayton of Bremen, Georgia passed away peacefully on May 9th, 2026 at his home surrounded by his family and wonderful caregivers. He was born on June 30th, 1942, in Waco, Georgia to the late Lindsey and Era Clayton.

Jerry began his career trajectory in pharmacy at the age of 13 by working at Lovvorn Pharmacy after school and in the summers. Upon graduating from Bremen High School, he went on to graduate from Mercer College of Pharmacy in 1963 and moved on to work with Wayne Jones at Jones Drugs, eventually becoming his partner under Jones-Clayton Drugs.

He married Polly 'Parrish' Clayton on June 30th, 1963, his birthday, and they enjoyed 63 glorious years together having one son, Lin Clayton.

On June 30th, 1967, Wayne Jones retired and Clayton Pharmacy was born and still thriving under the same great leadership today. Jerry invented "The Brew" cough syrup that cured more people than penicillin. If patented, he could have retired years ago.

Jerry was an avid golfer with what he called his "fearsome foursome" (when they won) that would include the likes of Mac Smith, Bob Casaday, Bud Barrow, Steve Jones, Norris Price, Curly Roberts, his brother, Bill Clayton, Allan Batchelor, Gil Jones, Bob Goldin, and a rotating cast of others for Wednesday and Sunday shootouts at Sunset Hills in Carrollton, eventually relocating their group to the former Lion here in Bremen.

Jerry was a member of the Higgins General Hospital board, eventually becoming Chairman, that won a valiant battle to keep the hospital operational here in town under Tanner Medical Center and also a board member of Carrollton Federal Bank (now known as Truist). He was also a member of the Bremen Chamber of Commerce, the American Pharmaceutical Association, the Georgia Pharmaceutical Association and the West Georgia Pharmaceutical Society.

Jerry was a Deacon of First Baptist Church and could be found on the back row every Sunday.

Survivors include his wife, Polly Clayton; son, Lin Clayton of Bremen, daughter-in-law, Shannon Clayton; grandchildren, Abbey and Luke Clayton; brother, Bill Clayton; sister-in-law, Marilyn Clayton and Carole Parrish; and nieces, Jennifer (Kevin) Wood, Julie (Caleb) Williamson, Keigh (Bob) Butler, Paige Royster, and Brooke (Mason) McWhorter; along with a host of great-nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lindsey and Era Clayton; in-laws, Ralph and Pauline Parrish, and a brother-in-law, Ridley Parrish.

Visitation will be held on May 12th, 2026 from 1:00 PM until service time at the First Baptist Church of Bremen in Bremen, Georgia. Services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Bremen on May 12th, 2026 at 4:00 PM with Mr. Lin Clayton, Mr. Dave Pollard, and Dr. Hunter Roe officiating. LeRoy Strickland, Joey Entrekin, Scott Smith, Brandon Barrow, Dave Pollard, and Dr. Will Parrish will serve as pallbearers.

Internment will take place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Bremen, Georgia following the service.