Clair was born across the street from the round house for the railroad in Ellensburg, Washington. He resided for 3 years in Yakima, Washington. In 1935, at the age of 20, he began working for the railroad. He started work at 4:30 a.m. and worked until 9:30 a.m, then went to school. In 1936 his family moved from Yakima to Tacoma, Washington.

He graduated from high school at Stadium High School in Tacoma.. in 1938. Clair continued to work for the Northern Pacific Railroad after moving to Tacoma. (Northern Pacific which later became Burlington Northern). He was a clerk, checking the railroad cars when the trains arrived. Between trains there was not much to do, but when trains arrived it got very busy. His annual salary in 1941 was $1483.73.

In January 1942, Clair enlisted with the 13th Naval District of the U.S. Navy in Seattle, Washington. He was assigned to the Naval Reserve, Class M-2, for a period of 2 years and placed on inactive duty. He was instructed to keep himself ready for any emergency call to active duty. On June 30, 1942, Clair received orders to report for a physical exam in Portland, Oregon by July 7. On July 1, he received an indefinite leave of absence from his job with Northern Pacific Railway Company and was authorized to return to his job within 40 days after his honorable discharge from the military service. Clair was sent to San Diego for his training.

While Clair was in San Diego, his family had purchased a home on J Street in Auburn, Washington. They owned this home until after his mothers death in 1967, and sold the house about 1970. He returned to his job with Northern Pacific, working in their warehouse.

In 1944, Clair married Vera Nalley, a school teacher in Auburn. They lived in Auburn in a house on 7th Street, the first house west of F Street at that time. Vera died in Feb 1946. Her family did not like Clair very much, so they came and took back most of her things. (NOTE: She was no relation to the Nalley family of potato chip fame in this area).

In May of 1960, just before Clair and Dorothy got married, they purchased their present residence on 6th S.E., Auburn, Washington. Legal description: Lot 19 and the west three feet of Lot 18, Block 2, Railroad Addition to Auburn, according to plat recorded in Volume 20 of Plats, page 35 records of said county.

In April 1961 his job title with the railroad was Yard Clerk. He was a Union member, Local 426.

After 40 years with the railroad, Clair retired.

Clair E Eyman