Clayton L. Koontz

Clayton L. Koontz, 84, died Sunday, after a brief illness. A chemical engineer by training, Clayton worked for 33 years at Bristol-Myers Squibb, the pharmaceutical company, before retiring in 1985. He performed many roles at the company over his career, including director of manufacturing of Bristol's Syracuse plant. During his time at the company, Bristol's Syracuse facility manufactured a significant portion of the world's penicillin supply as well as other antibiotics. Clayton served two years in the Navy, from 1955 to 1957. He was a founding member of Northminster Presbyterian Church in North Syracuse, and he was active in many charitable and service activities throughout Upstate New York and internationally. He was a sincere and loving family man, and an avid reader, gardener, thinker, talker and investor. He will be deeply missed. Clayton is survived by his wife of 63 years, June; his brother, David; his sister, Carol; his four children, Debora, Rebecca, Leslie and Daniel; and five grandchildren. A memorial service honoring Clayton's life will be held on Saturday, September 19 at 4 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church in North Syracuse, with a reception to follow.