Ronald Webster Clay was born June 14, 1934 in Boswell, Oklahoma to Webster Henry Clay and Gladys Marie Clay. In the first few years, the family moved from Boswell to Fairview, OK and Eufaula, OK before ultimately moving back to Boswell in 1940 where they would stay. Beginning in 1940, Ronald attended school in Boswell from first grade through his senior year. Ronald excelled in academics as well as sports where he lettered in football, baseball and basketball. He was also a member of the choir where he discovered his talent for singing. Ronald graduated at the top of his class in May 1952. In September 1952, Ron began his college education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University where he was recruited to play football and study civil engineering. Ronald enjoyed two very successful years at Southeastern before enlisting in The United States Marine Corp. In January, 1954, Ronald reported for training at Pendleton Marine Base Camp, San Diego, California. Ronald was assigned active duties overseas the next three years in both South Korea and Japan. He was awarded an honorable discharge in January, 1957 and received the National Defense Service Medal. He continued to serve his country in the 8th Marine Corps Reserve until January 1962.
It was in the spring of 1956, while in Riverside, California visiting friends, when Ronald met the love of his life, JoAnn Hill of Colorado Springs, Colorado. JoAnn was on leave from Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas visiting family when a chance meeting brought them together. They knew it was fate and began spending every possible weekend and holiday together.
Following his military service, Ronald continued his education by attending Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK from 1957 through 1958 where he resumed his studies in civil engineering.
In the fall of 1958, to be closer together, Ronald accepted a job with Kerr McGee in Oklahoma City and Joann accepted a transfer to Tinker AFB in Midwest City, OK. From that time forward, they were inseparable. Ronald and JoAnn married February 19, 1960 at St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church in Midwest City, OK. Not long after marrying, Ronald and JoAnn moved to Denver, Colorado to start a family. Ronald spent the next twenty years building a successful career in the oil & gas business and together they raised three children; Linda, Janet and Steven.
In the summer of 1979, Ronald and JoAnn made the decision to relocate closer to his family and moved to Paris, Texas. Ronald ignited his passion for engineering & construction and began building homes and commercial properties in the N.E. Texas and S.E. Oklahoma area. In the early eighties, Ronald served as President of the Homebuilders Association for several years. Ronald had an absolute gravitational personality, a strong desire for education & knowledge and a vigorous passion for Oklahoma football. Ronald had an unwavering love for his family, his faith and was so proud of his children and grandchildren. Knowing him was a blessing and he will be dearly missed by all.
Ronald was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, JoAnn Clay; his brother John Clay and sister Rose Ammons.
He is survived by his three children, Linda C. Young and her husband George of Fort Worth, Texas, Janet M. Partridge and her husband Joey of Paris, Texas, and Steven R. Clay and his wife Missy of Prosper, Texas. He is also survived by his six grandchildren and two great grandchildren, George Young III of Fort Worth, Texas, Catherine Young of Nashville, Tennessee, Lauren Rockwell and her husband Jordan of Melissa, Texas, Emily Fields and her husband Lance of Paris, Texas, Abbie Clay and Bodie Clay of Prosper, Texas, Collins Rockwell of Melissa, Texas and Kennedy Fields of Paris, Texas.
Private services will be held for family only. In lieu of flowers, those interested may contribute to the incredible JoAnn Louise Clay P.E.O. Memorial Scholarship fund. Donations should be made payable to: P.E.O. Foundation with a memo note: JoAnn Louise Clay Memorial Scholarship Fund. Mail donations to: P.E.O. Foundation, c/o Carla Coleman, 3825 48th St. NE Paris, Texas 75462.
Online condolences may be sent to the Clay family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com
