Clair Wayne Elsberry

Clair Wayne Elsberry, 79, of Jefferson City, died Thursday, April 16, 2015, at California Care Center. He was born on February 6, 1936, in Madison, Missouri, the son of the late Glenn and Velma Southern Elsberry. He was married to Bonnie Rae Roberts. He was later married on September 26, 1998, in Jefferson City to Patricia "Trish" Pearman Howell who survives at the home. A 1954 graduate of Madison High School where he was valedictorian and class president, Mr. Elsberry pursued various educational opportunities in highway engineering, personal development, and political management. Following graduation he was employed with the Missouri Highway Department for eighteen years in all phases of highway and bridge construction. From 1968 to 1972 he was actively involved in the Trenton and Missouri Jaycees, receiving numerous service awards. He served as City Engineer and Assistant to the Mayor in Trenton, Missouri, for a year before being appointed Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party from 1973 to 1976. He served as Coordinator of statewide volunteers for the "Danforth for Senator" and "Bond for Governor" campaigns in 1976, and was briefly on loan to the "Ford for President" campaign in Missouri. From 1977 to 1995 he served as Special Assistant to United States Senator John C. Danforth, and in 1995 was appointed Coordinator for Grants and Projects for U.S. Senators Christopher S. Bond and John D. Ashcroft. From 1997 until his retirement in 2005, Mr. Elsberry was employed part-time with Larry's Motor Sports which allowed him to pursue his great passion for motorcycling. He was an avid collector of motorcycles, guns, cars, and toy models. Other survivors include one son, Jerry (Renee) Elsberry, Stoutsville, Missouri; one daughter, Jeneane (Jim) Diffenderfer, Perry, Missouri; one step-daughter, Shay (Jim) Bond, Jefferson City; five grandchildren, Erica (Aaron) Shaffer; Emily (Jeff) Gares; Kristin Elsberry; Zach Elsberry; and Blake Elsberry; two step-grandchildren, Mallory (Curtis) Bond-Goodman and Madison Bond; six great-grandchildren, Hannah Shaffer; Ben Shaffer; Madelynn Gares; Maridith Gares; Sophie Gares; and Sylvie Gares; and; one sister, Joyce (Robert "Red") Warren, Madison, Missouri; one nephew, Larry Dale Warren, Madison, Mo.; and one great-nephew, Clay Warren, Madison, Mo. He was preceded in death by one great-grandson, Jacob Shaffer. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery, Madison, Missouri. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to time of the service on Saturday at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, POB 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5041; Preferred Hospice of Columbia, 1900 Providence Road No. 311, Columbia, MO 65202; or Sunset Hill Cemetery, POB 122, Madison, MO 65263. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.