A Joint Project of the Sam Rayburn House Historic Site and the Fannin County Historical Commission
Celebrating America 250 with Spotlights of Fannin County Citizens Who Participated In or Witnessed Historical Events
Fannin County, Texas -- Elden “Buddy” Gray Nash Clayton was born in Bonham, TX, to Jessie Mae Nash and George Poe Clayton on September 29, 1926. He had four siblings, including a twin sister.
After graduating from Bonham High School in 1943, Buddy joined the Army Air Forces and served from 1943-1946, becoming a 1st Lt. during WWII. He then attended Texas A&M University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in mathematics before joining the Air Force as an officer and jet pilot from 1950-1956. Buddy returned to Texas A&M University to complete his master’s degree in mathematics while working as a graduate assistant.
He joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), eventually working as the Director of Computer Operations. Buddy created the program that fired the rockets that returned Apollo 13 to Earth in 1970. Apollo 13 was a NASA mission aimed at landing in the Fra Mauro area of the moon, but an oxygen tank explosion prevented the Apollo crew from completing the mission.
This information was obtained from the Fannin Co., Texas GenWeb (txfannin.org) and other online sources. The Sam Rayburn House SHS presented this information at their 2025 Cemetery Walking Tour. For a copy of the 2025 Cemetery Walking Tour guide or for other information, contact the Sam Rayburn House at (903) 583-5558 or email Margo.McCutcheon@thc.texas.gov.
