Clayton Lowell Ellington, 82, of Homer Alaska, peacefully slipped into his next great journey on March 3, 2023. He was surrounded by his wife of 62 years, Joanie Ellington & all six of his children.

Clay was known for SO many outstanding qualities. He lived his life with Integrity, Honesty, Forgiveness, Wisdom, Selflessness, Generosity, Ethics, Protectiveness, Patience, Consideration, Tolerance, Acceptance, Kindness and was a humble leader to so many. His hard working, chance taking personality took him & his family on so many amazing & fulfilling journeys.

Clay was born in Hugo, Colorado and lived with his parents, James & Wilma Ellington and five siblings until the ripe old age of 14. At that time, his independent spirit lead him to his first full time job as an auto mechanic. In 1960 he met and married his loving wife of 62 years, Joanie Ellington.

Clay & Joanie started their family in 1961 with four daughters, Lisa, Carey, Stephanie & Tracy. It was a dream for Clayton to move to Alaska, and in 1968 that is exactly what he did. Clayton moved his family to Alaska where they increased their family with two sons, Mike & Nathan.

Creating the perfect partnership, Clay & Joanie, successfully operated several businesses. In 1968, The Alaskan Insurance Industry is where Clay started his many business adventures here in the great state of Alaska.

In 1970, Clay began building Log homes in Anchorage, the Matanuska Valley and Cooper Landing. He moved his family to the Kenai Peninsula in 1973 to settle in Soldotna, Alaska where He & Joanie continued the blooming Construction Industry, operating as Ellington Construction.

In 1978, Clay & Joanie found themselves interested in a new opportunity and purchased Penn’s Hardware in Soldotna. This venture quickly grew creating the need for a larger building. A new Hardware Store was built in 1979 and the name Ellington’s Hardware became widely known for its immense variety of inventory and friendly customer service. The store was operated by Clay & Joanie and all six children until it was sold in 1987.

At that time, He & Joanie ventured into the Commercial Fishing Industry. They Fished for salmon & halibut in Cook Inlet & Cod in Resurrection Bay. Realizing that Commercial Fishing was not a true love, Clay & Joanie relocated to Homer, Alaska in 1991.

Always the entrepreneurs and completing the full circle, The couple founded Homer Insurance Center in 1992, opening their doors with but just 1 customer. Due to Clay & Joanie’s work ethic & honest business practices, this venture quickly grew to the

business it is to this day. Still operating and growing, Homer Insurance Center is known for friendly and competent customer service.

Clay’s loving nature, huge hugs and famous one liners will be greatly missed by anyone who had the opportunity to know him. Clays family surrounded him as much as possible with any reason to celebrate life, making sure there was always plenty of great food and spirited conversation. His love for chicken fried ‘anything’, especially wild game, and apple pie were some of the simple things that made him happiest. Clay loved to talk about the many “what if’s” that life had to offer. He always had the most accepting view of any new idea or thought that his family or friends would share with him. He was best at listening and thinking quite intently before responding to anyone. His loving nature will be missed.

Clay is survived by his Wife of 62 years, Joanie Ellington; Daughters – Lisa Jackson (Scott Jackson), Carey Hart (William Hart), Stephanie Green (Doug Green), Tracy Drown (Wesley Drown), Sons – Michael Ellington (Jana Kralick), Nathan Ellington (Corrie Ellington).

Grandchildren – Erica Jackson, Brennen Jackson, Taylor Jackson, Daniel Hart, Kristina Hart, Sammy Hart, Adam Green, Eve Green, Leanne Pinault, Janelle Saunders, Joshua Drown, Melanie Drown, Quinn Ellington, Madison Kinder, Carly Ellington, Madison Thompson, Nina Ellington, Lilly Ellington.

Great Grandchildren – Lincoln Jackson, Rory Jackson, Revi Jackson, Judah Jackson, Dean Hart, Barrett Hart, Summer Winston, August Green, Presley Pinault, Parker Pinault, Penny Pinault, Atlas Saunders, Fitz William Saunders, Maren Isla Ellington, Ember Kinder, and one Kinder one the way.

Sisters – Velda Hadly, Donna Schmidt, Myrna Cowan & Brother – Dave Ellington Many, many cousins, nieces & nephews _____________________________________________

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, July 8 at the Lands End Resort in Beautiful Homer, Alaska. It would be very meaningful to Clay’s family to have each and every person that loved Clay as we do, attend his celebration of life. Further announcements to follow.