Obituary of Clayton Doug Dean Haryung

Our beloved son Clayton Doug Dean Haryung unexpectedly passed away when he lost his battle with depression, February 3, 2024, at the age of 20. He is survived by those who loved him most, including his mother Angel, brother Colten, Howie, Cass, Emma, Oren, Dayton, Gavin, Shane and so many others.  

Clayton was born February 5th, 2003, in North Battleford Saskatchewan.  He was a funny kid, always dancing and although he never mastered a two step, he certainly let the music move him. He attended kindergarten in LaRonge for about six weeks while his mother did some training before transferring to Rivier Elementary in Spiritwood.  He also did another six-week transfer to Red Deer Alberta when he was in grade 4 while his Mom was laid up.  They stayed with his Aunt Sherry and his cousins.  Clayton finished elementary school at Hartley Clark Elementary in Spiritwood and continued on to Spiritwood High School, finally graduating in Big River in 2021.

 Claytons favourite color was lime green and although his Mother tried, she finally gave up looking for a green dress shirt and he sported a custom made lime green shirt for his graduation pictures. Everyone knew about Clayton and lime green.  

From an early age Clayton worked for his own money.  He helped his Mother teach swimming, and diving.  He mowed lawns, reffed and umped until he was old enough for a “real” job.  At 14 he worked at Hujbers Grocery with the infamous “Grocery Gang,” that included Oren, Dayton, Gavin, and all of their honorary members, it was a fun time in his life.  Clayton had a clubhouse in his Mother’s garage and even though he was only in grade nine he managed to entice some grade twelves to hang there too.

Clayton had a few obstacles to overcome, but he never let them get in his way.  Even with physical limitations in his shoulder he didn’t let it get him down.  When asthma got in his way, he did cross country to improve his breathing.  When his shoulder was slowing him down, he worked with weights to rehabilitate it.  He went from being a chubby kid to being a fit and ripped adult through hard work and determination.  Clayton was disciplined and he wanted to overcome these difficulties for his mental well being and physical health.

Clayton worked for 5 years at the Lake Country Co-op before they supported his dream of driving Semi and pulling Super B’s like his Papa.  

He got his Class 1A at the age of 19 and was the youngest driver on the fleet, driving for Rheinland Trucking out of Osler, SK.  He drove long haul through SK, MB, AB, and into BC.  Quite an accomplishment for a young man, and he was happy out on the road. The day came when Claytons’ shoulder said no more and throwing the straps became too much.  He and his girlfriend Emma from Debden decided they needed to move back to Big River.  After working a few various jobs around Big River, he was most recently employed at the Big River Mill. 

Clayton was an animated person, he liked to be the life of the party.  Friends have phones filled with pictures and videos of Clayton being goofy.  Those who knew him also knew he was kind, and if you ask around town it’s a common thread amongst their replies.  He was kind to everyone.  

Fast cars and driving fast were a favourite pastime of Claytons and so was his hair.  He loved his hair and spent a fair bit of time tending to it, trying to tame the cowlicks so he could look his best.  His efforts weren’t in vain, that young man had great hair.

Colten and his older brother Clayton didn’t always get along when they were young.  As Clayton matured he began to admire Colten’s creativity, and how he looked at things in ways others might not.  He was proud of how hard Colten worked and that he’d been able to teach him so much along the way.  He admired his kindness and was supportive of the person his brother was becoming.

We are deeply saddened that we will never know who Clayton could have been, but we know this, he was a fine young man who was loved and cherished by many.  We only wish we could have protected him from this moment of action and dire consequence.  We love you always Clayton.

A Funeral Service will be held for Clayton at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at the Rabbit Lake Community Hall.  

Donations in Clayton’s memory may be directed to the Roots of Hope (Mental Health Commission of Canada - website mentalhealthcommission.ca email:  rootsofhope@mentalhealthcommission.ca)

Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lori Saam Funeral Director, Spiritwood, SK (306) 883-3500