Obituary: Clayton “Clay” Clark Atkinson

Clayton "Clay" Clark Atkinson, a longtime Portland resident whose eclectic career spanned marketing, consulting, and fine-art photography, died May 28, 2026, at the age of 85 after a years-long battle with prostate cancer.

Atkinson was born Jan. 2, 1941, in Los Angeles to Lola and Clayton Atkinson. He spent his formative years in Burbank, where his proximity to the movie studios provided a steady supply of the offbeat stories he would later become known for telling. He attended Burroughs High School before bouncing through a handful of California junior colleges that, by his own telling, were not the right fit.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany with the Finance Corps, an experience he often recounted with characteristic humor. After returning to the states, he enrolled at San Fernando Valley State College and, as family members would later note, suddenly found his academic footing. He went on to the University of California, Los Angeles, where he earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree and was named Marketing Student of the Year.

He married Diane Roath, and the couple moved first to Minnesota, where their son Joshua was born, and then to Massachusetts, where their daughter Lisa arrived. He built a corporate career with General Mills in Minneapolis and Parker Brothers in Salem, Massachusetts, before launching his own strategic consulting practice, which served clients across a range of industries.

It was in Salem that he met his future wife, Ann Packard. The two eventually returned to Minnesota, settling in for a 25-year stretch filled with deep friendships, involvement with the Lake Fellowship Unitarian Universalist Church, and countless hours sailing on Lake Minnetonka.

In 2005, Atkinson and his wife relocated to Portland, Maine, where he opened a fine-art photography gallery on Commercial Street. His work, family members said, reflected his lifelong fascination with "the beauty, complexity, and wonder of the world around him." He recently completed a memoir about his journey through photography.

Atkinson was known in his community for the circles he gathered around him: coffee groups, Ollie classes on emotional intelligence, men's groups, and elder groups. At the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church, he leaves a legacy that includes teaching children the basics of photography. He remained active nearly to the end, an avid reader and writer who loved nothing more than a thoughtful, intelligent debate, seasoned with his trademark humor.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Packard; his daughter, Lisa Spradling, and her husband, Jesse; his son, Joshua Atkinson; and four grandchildren, Sierra Niles and her partner, Jake, and Taylor, Julia, and Bryn Spradling. He also leaves behind his niece, Donna Abts and her husband, Terry; his sister, Mary Packard Zerigian; and his brother-in-law, Michael Zerigian.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 524 Allen Ave., Portland, Maine 04103, on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 2 p.m. EST. Those who wish to attend remotely may register for the Zoom link at https://forms.gle/Su1cDVp9XpbHv4xG8.

Arrangements are being handled by the new Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral, and Gathering Center at 300 Allen Avenue, Portland. Online condolences may be left at http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Allen Avenue UU Church (https://a2u2.breezechms.com/give/online) or to a charity of one's choice.