James "Jim" Bernard Clay

Jim Clay was born on August 7, 1934, in Locust Bayou, Arkansas to Frank and Dessie Clay. The second oldest child, and the oldest of seven brothers, Jim Clay grew up on a farm during the Depression. Hard times and family togetherness were the cornerstones of a life that emphasized love and duty, commitment, doing things right the first time, and attention to detail in every task. As the oldest brother, he worked hard to help support their family. He was a lifetime believer in “anything worth doing, is worth doing right.”

After joining the US Air Force in 1954, he dedicated 20 years to serving his country, where he retired as a Master Sergeant and a crew chief servicing C-130s during the Vietnam War. During his career, Jim served in the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and numerous other duty stations overseas and in the States.

Jim met the love of his life, Ernestine Grantham, while stationed near Orlando, Florida in 1955 for training. Jim and Ernie were married in 1956 and soon started a family of their own. Sons Greg and Steve were born in 1959 and 1961. Moving every two years on average, the family lived in Arkansas, Idaho, the Philippines, Texas, North Carolina, and Florida. This July would have been Jim and Ernie’s 70th anniversary.

Jim Clay retired from the Air Force in 1974, moving his family to Lynn Haven, Florida where he began a second successful career as a manufacturing plant superintendent with Stock Equipment Company. He retired from this second career in 1993, and moved the following year with Ernie to Equality, Alabama, where they lived on Lake Martin.

Jim Clay developed a lifetime love of gardening and working with his hands. He was especially proud of his gardens, and he was famous for growing the best tomatoes found anywhere, green beans, purple hull peas, squash, okra, peppers, cucumbers, onions and more. Together Jim and Ernie canned vegetables and gave many away to friends and family.

Jim and Ernie enjoyed traveling and camping with friends and family, boating on Lake Martin, and going to Auburn football games. They were famous for hosting large family gatherings with home-cooked meals. Jim was especially known for frying fish and grilling baby back ribs. A born craftsman who was constantly tinkering in his workshop, Jim built beautiful custom furniture and craft items, giving many away as gifts for friends and family. He also gave back to his community through membership in the Real Island Volunteer Fire Department, expanding their capabilities, and serving as Fire Chief.

Jim suffered a stroke in January 2011, and eventually moved with Ernie to Chipley, Florida to be closer to family members and friends. They lived in Chipley several years until moving to Woodstock, Georgia in 2017 to be closer to sons Greg and Steve.

Jim is survived by wife Ernie, brother Gene Clay of Buchanan, GA, sons Greg (Lisa) Clay, Steve (Peggy) Clay, grandchildren Courtney (Nate) Bohon, Connor Clay, John (Hilliary) Clay, Evan (Angie) Clay, Lucy (Adam) Costello, and great grandchildren Palmer, Baker, Annie, and James.

There will be a memorial service held Friday, March 6, 2026, at 2:00pm, at Georgia National Cemetery, where we will celebrate the memory of Jim Clay with family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tunnel to Towers Foundation in Jim’s name.