In Memory of Roy Charles Claxton
May 5, 1930 - October 25, 2009
It is with great sadness that I share news of the passing of my father Roy Claxton. Roy was
taken from us one clear October morning in a tragic accident on the beautiful California Coast highway.
He was at the time looking forward to his 80th birthday, but he was a good driver and very cautious
on the road. He and his wife Mariel had just the night before celebrated their 20th anniversary.
Below is a picture of Roy with his sons Bill, James (above), David and Jeff Claxton on the occasion
of his 75th birthday party at the Eel River in Mendocino.
My father was a well-known developer of commercial and residential property in Northern California.
With his long-time partner Hal Weiss he founded 20th Century Homes and built many beautiful residences
at
Peacock Gap,
Temelec and other developments in Marin and Sonoma.
His funeral was held in the St Anselm's Church, with the service conducted by an archbishop.
It really was a glorious mass with "Hallelujahs" and prayers for Roy. And his burial was on a wooded
hillside in such a
peaceful and serene setting. Since his grave is in Mill Valley where we all grew up,
and only a few minutes from San Francisco, I'm sure we can visit there often for meditation and renewal.
- Bill Claxton, eldest son and resident of Singapore
Obituary of Roy C. Claxton, Retired Businessman
Marin County businessman and longtime Marin resident Roy C. Claxton died unexpectedly on
October 25th, 2009. He was 79 years old.
Mr. Claxton was well known in Marin construction and real estate circles during the 1960's and
1970's. He and Hal Weiss, of Tiburon, were co-founders of 20th Century Homes. As one of the first
builders at Peacock Gap, they received international publicity for the dramatic Hanging Gardens House
and the Harrison House. The firm went on to specialize in their "Belvedere Model" for which they
secured the first patents ever issued for a single family residence from the U.S. Patent Office.
In 1975, Mr. Claxton became the sole owner of 20th Century Homes, branched out into the construction
of commercial buildings, and in 1980 retired from the general contracting business.
In 1981, Mr. Claxton received an award of recognition from the Governor of California for his
"streamlined specifications" in the California Affordable Housing Competition. Mr. Claxton's many
accomplishments were listed in the 1981/82 edition of Who's Who in California. He was an astute investor
and gave generously to various charitable causes.
He was on the College of Marin Foundation Board for 9 years where he helped to draft a successful
bond initiative. He served on the Board of Directors of the Marin Art and Garden Club for 3 years,
and was an honorary member of Marin Charitable Foundation. He was a Board Member of Il Cenacolo
Italian Culture Club, and known for his "Good Ole Boys" yearly luncheon at Left Bank in Larkspur,
which he co-owned.
As a native of California and a second generation San Franciscan, Mr. Claxton was always very proud
of his heritage. He was a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and
a descendant of Aaron Prater, born at Prince George, Maryland, in 1710. His father Roy Claxton Sr.
owned auto garages up and down the West Coast.
In recent years, Mr. Claxton travelled internationally and spent a considerable amount of time enjoying
his second home at Mt. Shasta City. This beautiful country house overlooking a lake and with a stunning
view of Mt. Shasta was the last home he ever built. He was as a member of Mt. Shasta Resort and Marin
Country Club.
He is survived by his beloved wife Mariel of Kentfield, four grown sons, Bill, David, Jeffrey and James,
8 grand children, 2 step children, and 3 great grand children.
Friends are invited to the funeral mass on November 3th at 11am at St. Anselm's Church in Ross and burial
and reception thereafter at Fernwood Cemetery in Mill Valley.
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