Clifford C. Clay Sr.

Clifford C. Clay was born September 11, 1924 in Quinlan, Hunt County, Texas. In his early years he moved to west Texas where he attended a one room school house and later moved to Alvord, Texas in junior high. He graduated from Alvord in 1942. Clifford married Edna Nell Fox on February 6, 1943. In 1944 he joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger during World War II. After the war he spent a short time working in the oil patch before attending Decatur Baptist College, where he also played football. Later, Clifford attended North Texas University and graduated in 1952. He then began his education and coaching career at Olney, Texas, where he was the line coach. Coach Clay left Olney in 1955 to become the head football coach of the Springtown Porcupines. In 1960 he left Springtown to become the high school principle at Mansfield High School while continuing to work on his Masters degree which he received from North Texas State University in 1962. In Mansfield, Coach Clay also formed the Mansfield boxing club. After four years Clifford moved to Ganado, Texas as the high school principle. Clifford moved back to Ft. Worth in 1967 to become the principle at Azle Highschool. At Azle Coach Clay also formed the Azle boxing club and had many fighters box in the Golden Gloves. In 1975 he joined the Texas Education Agency as a consultant where he remained until his retirement in 1986. Clifford was a 50+ year member of the Masonic Lodge. He was also a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and taught many Sunday school classes through the years. Clifford Clay is survived by his wife of 69 years, daughter Linda Kay Clay Ullman, son Clifford C Clay Jr. and his wife Darlis Clay. Grandchildren Clay Ullman and his wife Rhonda, Mary Lynn Kendrick, Lisa Batts and Courtney Kuy Kendall. Great grandchildren Kohl Ullman, Lacy Ullman, Austin Thompson, Kyle Kendrick, Airman Chase Kendrick and his wife Cady, Madison Batts, Parker and Pearson Kuykendall. Great Great grandchildren Kylin Kendrick and Cody Kendrick. Services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. on Friday, September 21, 2012 in the Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home Chapel in Lindale with Rev. Paul Porter officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Sylvan Cemetery. Visitation: 12:00 pm until service time 2:00 P.M. Friday at the Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home. Memorials: Mt. Sylvan United Methodist Church, 13090 CR 434, Lindale, Texas 75771 or Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701

Clifford C. Clay Sr.

September 11, 1924 - September 18, 2012