Papa's Birthday

My Papa, Clayton Jay Vincent, birthday is today,August 11th. He would have turned 89 today. My wife Jeanne wrote this poem for him and recited it at his funeral. He was the greatest man I ever knew! He worked hard, he did what he said he was going to do, he wasn't afraid to say he knew Jesus, he talked to everybody rich or poor, he loved his family and his family loved him. Happy Birthday my friend and I look forward to the day I see you again.

Clayton Vincent was his name
The cattle business was his game
His cows and calves and bulls
He knew them all by name

Clayton Vincent was his name
A great cow man he became
He traded, shipped, and weighed
Always praying for some rain

Clayton Vincent was his name
Dolores Conley was his dame
Their love so strong and true
It could not be explained

Clayton Vincent was his name
His family he acclaimed
Special attention he always paid
Fond memories will remain

Clayton Vincent was his name
Much admiration he obtained
A great man he proved to be
For great things he did aim

Clayton Vincent was his name
Great character he attained
A handshake meant a deal
For his word he had fame

Clayton Vincent was his name
A sports fan he remained
Though his teams had ups and downs
Cheers and support he did maintain

Clayton Vincent was his name
Many loved ones he can claim
Those whose lives he touched
Will never be the same

Clayton Vincent was his name
To the Lord he gladly came
He now rests high above
The heavens do proclaim

Clayton Vincent was his name

August 11th 1920 was a Great Day

Our Papa, Clayton Vincent, was born on August 11th 1920. He was born in Lindsay, California. He grew up with a passion for football, horses and cattle. He worked his way up the ranks since the age of 12 with the Gill Cattle Company. The Gill Family was one of the largest cattle empires in the United States at that time. Clayton was the ranch mangager of the Buenos Aires Ranch on the Arizona and Mexico border at the ripe old age of 21. He worked until he was about 35 years old and then branched out on his own. He became one of the biggest cattle buyers in the Southwestern United States and was admired and trusted by many people. His handshake was all that was necessary in making a deal. Papa lived by the code of honor and respect. He was a true gentlemen. His love for his family, almighty God, cows, ranches, and of course his favorite sports teams were clearly evident in the way he lived. He will be dearly missed by his family but we will rejoice again another day when we meet him in heaven. I am sure he is tending to the cows in heaven and given the angels a lesson or two on how to keep them fattened up. Happy Birthday Papa!! We love you forever!!

My best friend and me on Feb. 14th 2007

Papa at my age of 35

Papa, Dee Dee and me in San Diego

Hawaii Bound

This was a common sight with our Papa and Mimi

Getting ready for 50th Wedding Anniversary

Papa checking the grass on the desert

Papa holding Dee Dee and I

Papa loved birthdays

Papa as a little boy

He was tough and played center!

Mimi, Papa, John, Sherrie(Mom), Rich

This is one of my favorite photos. Papa loved his work!!

The Greatest Man I Ever Knew

Clayton Vincent, My Papa

Clayton Jay Vincent, 87, passed away at home in his family's care on January 12, 2008. Since well before WW II, Clayton Vincent was active as a cattle producer in all facets of the industry in the Southwest and one of the ranching greats from Arizona. Featured in the Saturday Evening Post in 1946, he managed the famed, Buenos Aires ranch near Sasabe, AZ on the Arizona-Mexico border. In 1956, Clayton moved his family to the valley and ran the Tovrea feed lots. Later, Clayton launched out on his own with ranches in Southern Arizona and California. His trademark was a well respected cattleman, with interests in all aspects of the industry. Always a respected mentor and hero to those who knew him. An ardent fan of ASU sports and known to many for his presence at all of the ASU football games from 1956 until his passing. Clayton was the man in the western hat, and a true supporter of sports. In 2006 He was honored by ASU for his tremendous support. Clayton, the middle child of Earl and Vera Vincent, was born in Lindsay, California. As a youngster he knew he wanted to be a cattleman and never varied from his goal. He met and married the love of his life: Dolores Conley from Liberty, AZ in 1941. That love never failed through the birth of four children, the loss of the youngest as an infant, the challenges of the cattle business, and, finally the tragedy of Alzheimer's, which took his beloved wife of 61 years. Clayton is survived by three children: Richard Vincent, John Vincent, and Sherrie Vincent Scott, ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Clayton was loved, and honored by his family and all who knew him. Clayton had a deep and abiding faith in God. He lived a life of service to Christ and his church. If you want to do something in his memory: Go out and have a big steak and tip your hat to all of this country's beef producers--he would like that. We are going to miss his passion for life and doing what is right at all times.

My Papa was the greatest man I ever knew! He was my best friend and he will be missed by many. He is gone but never forgotten!! This website and blog will be in memory of my Papa, Clayton Vincent. Papa, I will see you in heaven someday and I am glad I was able to learn from your great example of how to live life. You taught me so many things from the time I was a little boy that I will never forget. Thanks for always being a man of integrity and a follower of Jesus. I will see you soon!