In Memoriam

Clayton Harvey Bantham Jr., 90

CCS Class of 1948, Worked for State Farm

Clayton Harvey Bantham, Jr., 90, passed away February 5, 2021, at Saratoga Hospital in Saratoga Springs. Born October 30, 1930, in Utica, Harvey was the son of Clayton Harvey Bantham, Sr. and Ruth Lucille Kline Bantham. The family moved to Cooperstown in 1936 when his father became manager at Iroquois Farm.

Upon graduating from Cooperstown High School, Class of 1948, he attended Rider University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism. In 1951 Harvey entered active service with the U.S. Army and proudly served his country during the Korean War. In May 1954, Sgt. Bantham received his honorable discharge from the military and returned home to Cooperstown. There he met the love of his life, Annie Welsh, and they were married on April 9, 1955. They resided in West Milford, NJ for many years, and later moved to Wilton, NY, although they always called Cooperstown home.

Harvey spent his career as a loyal and dedicated employee of State Farm Insurance, where he was an automobile insurance Operations Superintendent, earning the Chartered Property
and Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) distinction. He started with State Farm in Springfield, PA in 1960 and retired 33 years later in Ballston Spa, NY. One of Harvey’s proudest achievements was working with new recruits and State Farm agents that he mentored. Harvey was an avid golfer, as well as an amateur photographer. He had his thousands of photographs converted to a digital form and loved sharing them with his family members. A long-time member of the West Milford Presbyterian Church, he served on the Session, was a lifelong Elder, and proudly sang in the church choir for many years. Harvey is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Annie; his daughter, Shelley Fredericks and husband Mark of West Milford, NJ, two sons and daughters-in-law, Daniel Bantham and wife Kimberly of Bedford, NH, and Timothy Bantham and wife Martina of Ballston Spa, NY; 8 grandchildren and a niece and two nephews. In addition to his mother and father who died in 1980 and 1982 respectively, he was predeceased by his sister June Schrader, and stepmother, Isabelle Baldinger Bantham.

Harvey will be laid to rest in the Ecumenical Columbarium in Christ Churchyard, Cooperstown. A memorial service is planned for a later time once COVID 19 restrictions are lifted. Memorial donations may be made to Christ Church Cooperstown, 69 Fair St, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.