Clayton Johnson Borne Jr.

In Memory of
Clayton J. Borne
Aug. 8, 1922 - June 25, 2016
Obituary
Mr. Borne died at his home in Mandeville, La., after a lengthy illness.
He was born in Algiers, and lived in New Orleans and Metairie for most of his life. He moved to Mandeville shortly after Hurricane Katrina.
He was a retired World War II Navy fighter pilot, and flew off the carrier Essex in the Pacific. He later was assigned as a test pilot at Pearl Harbor. There he test-piloted the FU-4 Corsair under the direct command of Adm. Chester W. Nimitz. Following World War II, Clayton joined the Navy reserves and served in VS821 in Belle Chase, La. Following the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, his reserve squadron was activated and was stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He served as commanding officer of VS821 during this tour. He retired after 25 years of reserve service.
Mr. Borne worked with his father in the family business, Clayton J. Borne Hardware, until he founded Delta Insurance Agency. He was also owner of Sterling Petroleum Corporation. He served on the board of directors of Dixie Savings and Loan Association, and served for a while as president pro tem.
He was a member of St. Martin's Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry and as junior warden. He was involved in and served as chairman of St. Martin's Horse Show. He was past president of the Louisiana Retail Hardware Association, a member of the Metairie Rotary Club, and a Paul Harris Fellow. He also served on the board of WRBH, the Radio Station for the Blind. He was a past King of Juno Carnival Organization of Mandeville.
His masonic involvement included: Past Master of Perfect Union Lodge #1 F&AM, Past District Deputy Grand Master, Grand Lodge State of Louisiana, Grand Consistory of Louisiana of Scottish Rite Masonry. Jerusalem Temple Shrine, York Rite Masonry Chapter Council and Commandry of Knights Templar
Mr. Borne was predeceased by his parents, Clayton J. Borne Sr. and Alvina Lobrano Borne, stepmother, Dorothy Helwick Borne; brother Louis Borne. He was widowed by his first marriage to Doris Mace Borne after 54 years of marriage. He is survived by his wife, Audrey Kuttruff Maestri Borne, with whom he enjoyed 18 years of marriage. He has two children, Clayton J. Borne III and Carol Borne Spencer (Frank) of Jackson, Miss.; grandchildren, Clayton J. Borne IV, (Tracy) and Rebecca Jane Borne Hill (Doug) of Abita Springs, La., David Thompson Stewart (Abby) of Denver and John Clayton Stewart of Portland, Ore.. He has eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Joyce Borne Balsamo and brother Allen Helwick Borne.
His family also includes his stepchildren Susan Robin (Dan), Tom Maestrii (Lisa), Becky Robin (Mike), Terry Maestri (Allison), Mary Ann Thrower (Tim), 19 step-grandchildren and 17 step-great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to express deep appreciation to his wonderful caregivers, Ken Fugi, Ms. Willie and Wendy Gregorio, who gave great attention and expressed patience and kindness to Mr. Borne in his last years.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of the following organizations: Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Shreveport, La., St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., or WRBH Radio Station for the Blind in New Orleans.