Clayton D. “CJ” Gebhart, Jr.
May 16, 1983 - December 16, 2021
Clayton D. “CJ” Gebhart, Jr., 38, of Middletown, DE, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at Christiana Hospital on Thursday, December 16, 2021, after a short illness.
Born in Newark, DE, on May 16, 1983, he was a son of Clayton D. Gebhart, Sr. and Susan M. (Maden) Beaver. The loves of CJ’s life were his family and friends, sports of all kinds, including: bowling, his beloved Yankees, Eagles and overall passion for baseball, at which he excelled as a pitcher and power hitter, art and animals of all kinds.
He was a 2001 graduate of Middletown High School in Middletown, DE. CJ was the lead graphic Installer at Ad-Craft Graphics and Signs in Wilmington DE. He did vinyl wrapping for 20 years with meticulous perfection.
CJ is survived by his 3 daughters, Jaycee and Myleigh Gebhart (Casey Taylor) and Harper Marshall (Vicki Marshall); parents, Susan M. Beaver (Rob) of New Castle and Clayton D. Gebhart (Sherri) of Townsend; fiancée, Samantha White; brothers, Rob Beaver, Jr. (Jessica), Justin Childress (Heather), Jordan Childress (Caitie), along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Jimmy & Ronnie Maden of New Castle and paternal grandparents, Walter “Bud” & Jeannette Gebhart, also of New Castle. Also surviving CJ are his beloved dogs, Pablo and Chapo, and cat, Griselda (Kitter).
The family would like to offer their sincere gratitude towards Christiana Care ICU for all of their loving and compassionate care of CJ during his illness and Gift of Life, which will allow CJ’s memory to continue to live on through the lives of others.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 pm until 7 pm on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE. A second visitation will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at the funeral home, where a memorial service will begin at 11 am. Face coverings will be required for all those in attendance not immunized with the COVID-19 vaccine. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in CJ’s memory to The New Castle County Chapter Sunshine Foundation, PO Box 16, New Castle, DE 19720, or online by clicking here, or to the Delaware Humane Association, 701 A Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, Attn: Jeanette Hayes, or online by clicking here.
Sandy Mayhew
Clayton and Sherri, you have my deepest sympathies in this time of loss and heartbreak.
Debbie
Rest In Peace Clayton you will be in our broken hearts forever, Bob and Debbie Taylor
Linda Gattuso
Casey, Myleigh and Jaycee,
I am so very sorry to hear that you have lost CJ. I hope the Lord gives you strength to survive this terrible time and soon you will only remember the good times you had. May he rest in peace.
Kaye & George Wilder
Deepest sympathies to you and your family from both of us. Love you cuz.
Francis harrison
Clayton I’m very sorry for your loss I hope your family will get time to heal because you and your family need all the help you can get from you family prayers be with your family good luck my friend
Charmaine pardee
Deep sympathy, you are in our prayers
Tammy Pigeon
I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers to all
Karen Schafer
Susan and Family,
Our hearts are broken. There are no words that can ease your pain. May you find peace and comfort in the memories of CJ that you will hold in your heart forever. May God comfort you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and CJ’s daughters. We love you and are here for you always.
Karen, John and Lauryn
Pam Shannon
Sorry for your loss prayers for you and your family god bless you all rip cj
Roy & Kathy Cappadona
So very sorry for the loss of CJ. Please extend my love to family; including Samantha.
Roy & Kathy
Kimberly ingram
With Deepest Sympathy. Truly one of a kind, gone too soon. May he Rest In Peace and watch over his beautiful children and Family.
With love and prayers,
The Ingrams
Chad, Kimmie, Em & Cole
Donna Price
Sue: The grief of losing a child is unlike any other. There are no words. I am so sorry.
Mary Jamieson
Our deepest condolences to CJ’s family. I was honored to get to know him by working with him at a Subshine Foundation Golf Outing.
Sue, I know you will miss your son here on earth, but you will see him again one day. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire family at this time. Mary and Bob Jamieson
Barlow Mary
I didn’t know you I knew your mom RIP
Deborah Mack
My deepest sympathy Clayton, so sorry for you and your family! Love and prayers from Oklahoma
Jennifer Gilchrist
Clayton, Sherri, and family. My heart is broken for you. I am keeping you all in my prayers. God be with you!
Bryan & Joanne Bovee
Our hearts are breaking for you and your family. Our deepest sympathies and condolences.
Karen M Lee
Clayton, I am so very sorry for your loss. I know there are no words that can comfort you at this time. Please know you have my deepest sympathy.
Elizabeth Doherty
Dear Susan, Words can not express what I am feeling right now. I remember the first time I saw CJ in his crib days after you delivered him. My heart goes out to all of you. Praying God gives you peace in your heart and soul. CJ was a good one. God bless.
Marti Beeson Rieske
With deepest sympathy, love and prayers to you and the family. He will live on through those who received his gifts of life.
Sally Brendel (Eshleman)
The death of a child is devastating my deepest sympathy to you and your dear ones
Love
Sally
Chmielewski Beverly
I am so sorry for your loss , prayers are with the family and friends.
June Kennedy Moses
Clayton,
Sending prayers to you and your family at this difficult time.
Helen Ingram
Clayton I’m very sorry for the loss of your son God bless you and your family 🙏🙏🙏
Susie & William Hudson
We are praying and thinking of you. May your memories be a comfort to you.
Katelyn Keich
I am so very sorry for your loss.
I never met CJ personally but I saw how much he met to my cousin Samantha – his fiancé. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Norman Smith
Dear Clayton and Sherri,
Sarah and I are so sorry to hear of CJ’s passing. It is such horrible news. Parents are supposed to go before their children, not the other way around. We are thinking of you during this sad time.
Norman and Sarah
Susan and Dominick Lombardi
Sending you our deepest condolences. May G-d give you the strength and courage you need and may C. J.’s memory be a blessing.
Susan and Dominick Lombardi
John and Rita Smiley
Clayton and Sherri,
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
John and Rita
Burns family
Clayton and family so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May your memories be a comfort.
Mary Ann Santo
Sue and Family,
So very sorry for your loss
Mary stetter
Fly high CJ. Gone way to soon. Watch over your daughters and mother. Until next time..❤️🙏
Linda Lowe
Sue & family,
sending my deepest, personal sympathy. Also, praying that the comfort of God’s presence, your precious memories and the love/support of family and friends will be your rock in your tragic loss and heartbreak.
Melissa Dilts
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. May you find comfort in each other as you grieve.
Michael "Mickey" Ryan
Clayton:
My sincerest condolences. I hope the good memories of your son carry you through the tough days.
Mike “Mickey” Ryan
Lori Maliszewski
I am so sorry for you loss. My thought and prayers are with you at this time. May God’s hand be on you and give you strength.
Alisa Cid
With deep heartfelt sorrow for all those whom held him close in their hearts. I ask our Heavenly Father, Who knows all things…though we cannot fully see or understand our circumstances…it is by His strength that His Word…our Lord Jesus became “one of us”…who bore “all” our griefs some 2,000 years ago…and sits upon His throne…where we cry out to Him all our tears, hurts, pains, sufferings…our memories, blessings, joys, loves. He “Himself” cried out from the cross for “us”…that He shared every one of our “lives”…that we may know when He said…”I will never leave you or forsake you…no never!” He rose from death…He conquered the grave…that we may have eternal life…He lives to share with us…every day, every moment of our lives…until He calls to take us home with Him, forever. Our hearts may be heavy…but it’s HIM who carries each and every one of us…and HOLDS US IN HIS HANDS…and KEEPS US CLOSE TO HIS HEART, so that WE MAY NEVER BE ALONE…HIS LOVE IS TIED TO OUR HEARTS…AND HE NEVER LETS US GO…Isaiah 53. Dear Father, we thank you that you care so much to help us each step of the way…that your love knows nor has… no end… my love to all…Alisa
Chris Reichard
Rest In Peace cj hugs and prayers to all
Kaitlin Jasinski
CJ was the type of person to make a great impact, no matter how long or little you knew him. A HUGE heart, and a wild sense of humor. He was the first person to make me feel welcome at my first “adult” job several years ago. He was the kind of friend that you could see any time, and even if you don’t talk every day, you still felt like no time has passed and you picked up right from where you left off. My heart goes out to his family, as I cannot fathom the loss they feel. CJ definitely will live on in the hearts of many, and in the little things that he enjoyed.
Roland Simpson
Rest In Peace Clayton. Prayers for the family and friends.🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Chad
Sam and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. CJ was an amazing individual and hell of friend. Thankfully got to have him on our bowling team last year on Friday nights. CJ wasn’t just a team member but someone who would do anything for anyone. You will be missed. Rest In Peace
Connie (Krapf) Conner
Susan so sorry for the loss of your son 🙏🏼🙏🏼 I hope that you can find some peace This was a terrible loss for your family