Kristin Laura Layton,

Born August 24 ^th , 1960, at the old St. Agnes here in Fresno

Parents were Louvera Phillips & Lawrence Layton

At the time of her birth Kristin already had (3) older brothers, Kelly, Kevin & Kirk.  From the stories I heard from her and her family, Kristin was a Princess, and her brothers treated as such 😊 also I think they gave her strength and confidence in doing what they did…she could do too!

Kristin was the princess until she was dethroned by her little sister Kerrie, this is where I think her sense of responsibility, protectiveness and tolerance begins to grow far beyond her years and develops her character that we all describe who she is.

She had a drive of confidence that I admired, respected and feared for her.  Her challenges during our time together would be her physical weakness due M.S. to her body but she would try and tackle accepting them.  She hated losing her independence even if it was to ease her undertaking in anything.

Kristin was what we called a "fixer" she was the person if you needed help, whether it was muscle, direction or support to help you get there she could get you there.  Later in life she had to let people "fix" themselves.  She just wanted to tell the truth and to protect you for the next time you were in trouble or at least show you that you are stronger than you may think and if you fall, she will be there to "give you a hand up'. She would shield, protect, shelter and support you if you needed and did so many times for her family as they have expressed in their memories.

If you asked her what she thought…Oh boy I would try and warn whomever that she is not going to sugar coat, BS you in her response or advise.  She didn't mean any malice in her response but be ready.

We would say if you did/succeed/accomplish and surpass us on any road of life adventures that we had traveled, we would be so proud of you and let you know it would be one less worry on our plate.  Kristin LOVED her family, my family, friends until you broke her trust and then she would give you the benefit of doubt or chances to redeem yourself…some a few times, why?  Because she really, really cared and loved you and would overthink that maybe she missed a step in showing/telling/helping you with what you needed to succeed but if anyone kept digging that hole  deeper, then she would say "You can't fix stupid" or " I can't help you", "don't know what you want me to say", "what do you want from me" OUCH there's that honesty she would express and it would cut! Her response would start out "I'm sorry BUT…" brutal. I would tell her Babe sometimes people don't want to hear the truth and her response "they asked me what I do think?" or they are waiting for a response after listening to their drama.  At times I found it to be funny cause it would happen repeatedly to the point she would not say anything and just shook her head and rolled her eyes.

Kristin loved to engage in conversation if you could accept/respect her point of view.  This woman was one of the smartest women I have met, not just her intellect or ability to figure things out, whether it was designing our landscape/irrigation or for others to mastering Shanghai salad dressing. She had a twisted sense of humor at times, and she loved to laugh and to entertain our families and the children, such a protector.  Her compassion, humor and strength in sensibility of tackling life issues that came her way

She tried to make sure everyone is ok (Switzerland) her family unit is small.  We had a great life together and made sure that either one of us would be taken care of, she would always tell me, I just want you to be ok…I would tell her don't worry about me that I will be ok. Babe I am OK, SAD but you know that .

Kristin and I loved each other like no other, better yet we really really LIKED each other.  We were so synced in our responsibilities, commitments, life issues but not style of dress or decorating of our homes, get the measuring tape & level out to put up a pic, or she would say Babe "you're going out public/work dress liked that" Her orderly fashion verses my relaxed were complete opposites but we loved each other.

Her are some things most of you may or may not about Kristin

• Started in Caltrans (CT) Maintenance Highway Worker, Irrigation Mgr, Maintenance Office, Cashier office and retired out of Budgets
• Everything has its place, unless Esther touches it 😊
• No good deed goes unpunished
• Always be prepared, she would blame it on being a Girl Scout…I doubt it
• LOVED Camping, Playing Poker (played a couple of tournaments here and in Vegas)
• She did not like when I rinsed out soda cans…" You're wasting one precious resource for another"
• Vikings & Oakland "A" fan
• R&B, Oldies music: Stylistics was a favorite
• Fishing, she would go after Storm patrol, go home grab her pole, gear and head for somewhere to fish
• She would say my prayers for me when I came home to drunk 😊
• Collected Gold coins, chevron cars, antiques
• Made knives and was proud of this experience
• Started her business of Landscape/Irrigation Design
• As a student loved playing Water polo
• Skydived for our 10 ^th Anniversary (she was hogtied because of no use of her legs) I never seen her so pale as hanging out of that helicopter…
• Turned green/pale while crossing the English Channel because of waves hitting our boat
• Secret Service had to take us through the kitchen at the White house because of its in accessibility
• Always beat me in arm wrestling ☹ 😊

"To do so would bankrupt the vocabulary of all the languages"

by Mark Twain

To share memories, we would have to campout for a few days for me to share.  So, I ask you all to please share so that I can add more to my 40 yrs of knowing this beautiful woman.

Gathering after services:

Regency Center behind Home Depot

1600 Willow Ave, Clovis, CA 93612

Afterwards, everyone is invited to drive over to the hall.

Please come by for a couple of hours to have a snack, catch up on some old friends, make new ones. We will share some stories, memories or just talk shit and shed some tears.