Clayton Lambeth of Hot Springs died on Saturday, June 13, 2009 in Rapid City from a brief illness. He was 69 years old.

Born in Ridgely, Tennessee to Hugh and Pauline Lambeth in 1939, he worked on farms as a young man in Texas and then in Arizona, graduating from Casa Grande High School in 1958. He attended the University of Arizona where he completed his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Education in 1963 and later returned to earn a Master's Degree in Ruminant Nutrition in 1966. During his college years, Clay served as a state officer for Future Farmers of America.

Clay's early career in agriculture included positions with Elanco, Ceres Land and Cattle Company and Arizona Livestock. He married Margus Cardwell in 1965 having met her several years earlier while she was in high school. After completing graduate school, the couple moved to Colorado where they started a family and Clay began to specialize in cattle feeding and feedlot management and served as Vice President of Colorado Cattle Feeders. His experience expanded quickly with new opportunities in Arizona and Colorado and ultimately brought him to South Dakota where he served as President and General Manager of Fall River Feedlots for 17 years before retiring in 1997.
A passionate golfer, Mr. Lambeth was a long time member of Southern Hills Golf Course in Hot Springs. He was a lifetime member of the South Dakota Buckaroos and the Elks. Throughout his life, Clay had been actively involved in the church and the community.

He leaves his wife of 44 years, Margus (Cardwell) Lambeth, his daughter and son-in-law Kristi and Lee Mathis and their sons Shane and Alex, his son and daughter–in-law Troy and Vikki Lambeth and their sons Noah and Christian, his mother Pauline, brother Jim, sister Lena, their families and a lifetime of cherished friends. Clay's family and friends celebrate the memories of his life, his kindness, and his humor. He was a loving husband, devoted father, doting grandfather, and loyal friend. He was and will remain deeply loved.

A 1:00 p.m. memorial service is planned for this Friday, June 19, 2009 at the Calvary Baptist Church in Hot Springs.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that charitable donations be made to a fund that will be established and used toward sponsoring a room in Oncology of Rapid City Regional Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the church and donations can also be made through Wells Fargo to the Clay Lambeth Memorial Fund.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.