Clayton Mott, Class of 1944

Clay graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1949 with a BS in education.  He later did graduate work at Northern and at the University of Illinois in Speech Education.

While at Northern, Clay served in their Alumni Association as Treasurer 1957, Vice President 1958 and President in 1959.  In 1979 he served as Chairman of the Legislative Conference held in Springfield at the request of NIU President to help secure the transfer of a law school from Lewis College to NIU.

In 1989 and 1992 Clay served at Chairman of the Taft Reunion Committee for seven graduating classes, 1940 through 1946.

Clay has been an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Des Plaines for over 43 years, and  helped reorganize a Boy Scout Troop and is serving on the troop committee, while also serving as chairman of the church’s 125th anniversary and reunion.

He joined the Masonic Des Plaines Lodge 890 in 1957, rose to the 32nd Degree Scottish Right Mason (1958), crossed the Sands of the Medina Shire Temple in 1958 and became a member of the Northwest Suburban Shire Club in 1989.

He served as chairman of the Speech Department, Lincoln, IL 1949-1951, taught and coached speech activities at Arlington Township HS 1951-1952.  He headed the Clayton Mott & Assoc. Insurance Agency 1952-1966.  In 1962 Jet Car Rental, Inc. was founded by 10 people, but six months later he became the sole owner.  He became active in the Car and Truck Rental and Leasing Association of Illinois in 1962 and shortly thereafter was  elected to the Board of Directors, serving as Treasurer in 1978 and President in 1979. Upon retirement in 1988, Clay was invited to stay on the Board as Director Emeritus.  He retired in December 1995.

Clay has been active in Republican politics for many years. Has served on the Maine Township Republican Central Committee and also as Republican Precinct Captain. In 1975 the Des Plaines Mayor appointed Clay as Chairman of the Des Plaines Mass Transit, where he served until 1977.

Clay personally organized the Des Plaines Junior Chamber of Commerce and held almost every office including State Membership Chairman. He served as President of Main West Dad’s Club 1967-1968 sponsoring sports, as well as other projects, including raising $5,000 to put lights over the football field.

He served as Treasurer of the Des Plaines Yacht Club in 1973 and was Commodore in 1974. Clay was awarded the Living Legend Award to honor outstanding leadership to the City of Des Plaines.

Upon retirement he became interested in genealogy and joined The Sons of the American Revolution. He has served as Eagle Scout Chairman, Law Enforcement Chairman, Hero Award Chairman, local and state Oratorical Contest Chairman and served on the ILSSAR Long Term Planning Committee and Budget Committee. Clay has  served over 1,000 volunteer hours annually at the Veterans' Hospital of North Chicago.