Claude Emerson Layman
Claude Emerson Layman, a resident of Mercer Island for 40 years, slipped peacefully away on August 29, 2012. He was 92 years “young”. Claude was born the oldest child to William and Anne Layman in New Castle, VA., a small farming community in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He lived there and later in Roanoke, VA until the war broke out in 1942. After serving on the European front and specifically the Battle of the Bulge, he returned home and attended North Carolina State University majoring in textiles and graduating with honors in 1954. He went to work for Celanese Corporation and upon transfer to San Francisco in 1962, met and married Gail Laurence. His job took them to Seattle and later to New York. In 1972, they bought a small manufacturing company in Seattle called Jen-cel-lite Corporation. The company grew from ten employees to one hundred and forty- two before he sold it and retired in 1994. A born salesman, Claude never met a stranger. He loved meeting people and traveling the world. He landed on all seven continents and thoroughly enjoyed his life and his retirement. A fun companion, Claude will be remembered for his keen sense of humor, his warm and welcoming manner and his love for his family. He always looked for the best in people, and more often than not, he found it. Claude was a member of the Nile Shriners, Sigma Chi Fraternity and Mercer Island Rotary. He was a dedicated member of the Congregational Church on Mercer Island, serving in many capacities over the years. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Gail, his sister, Louise Tuck of TN, two daughters, Deborah Langlo of VA and Sharon Brazil of WY, as well as four grandchildren, Abby, Lily, Brandon and Mia Brazil and several nieces and nephews. A kind and generous man, Claude helped many people during his lifetime and in lieu of flowers, please pass this generosity on to your favorite charity or church. Services will be held on Saturday, September 22nd, 2:00 pm at the Congregational Church on Mercer Island, 4545 Island Crest Way, Mercer Island, WA.
