Neal Hargett Clay Jr.

Neal Hargett Clay Jr., 78, of Bon Air, Virginia, passed away on June 8, 2021 of complications related to Leukemia. Neal was born on September 20, 1942 to Susie Holzaphel and Neal Hargett Clay Sr. in Sheffield, Alabama. Neal had two sisters, Ferne Snelson and Myrtle Woodcock, who lovingly referred to him by the nickname “Bubba”. The Clay family eventually moved to Glen Allen, VA, where Neal graduated from Hermitage High School in 1961. Neal had no ambition to attend college until his football coach informed him that the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was interested in providing a scholarship to play for the Tarheels. He loved the sport and played 4 years as a defensive end, graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1965. After college, Neal served in the US Army National Guard and started a career as a supervisor at Concrete Pipe & Precast of Ashland, VA. In 1976, Neal met the love of his life and spouse of 43 years, "Mary Dale" Perkins. They had one child, Mary "Christine" Clay and helped to raise Neal’s son “Trey” from a previously brief marriage. Neal eventually established his own general contracting company and developed a loyal cleint base around the Richmond area. Known for his quality construction that would last many years, Neal had a strong work ethic and exceptional pricing. You never needed to consult your calculator when he was on the job site; his ability to solve multiplication, division, and fraction equations in his head was impressive. Regular clients turned into life long friends and he continued doing small carpentry jobs up until his death. Neal’s interest in sports continued throughout his life as he developed a passion for golf. He eagerly looked forward to annual golf trips with his friends to Arizona and Florida. And if you knew him well, at some point he tried to gift you one of his prized Amaryllis plants he enjoyed cultivating so much. Spending quality time with family, whether it was in some exotic island location or in his living room at home, was the most important thing to Neal. Shockingly, Neal and Mary Dale passed just several months apart, profoundly impacting their family and friends. Neal was predeceased by his mother Susie Holzaphel, father, Neal Hargett Clay Sr., and daughter in law, Jennifer Thouilot Clay. He is survived by his son, Trey Clay (Natalie), daughter, Christine Clay Engel (Nick), sisters Ferne Snelson and Myrtle Woodcock (David) and brother in law, Claude H Perkins (Betsy). A memorial for both Neal and Mary Dale will be held at 12:00PM, Saturday, September 11 at Westhampton Memorial Park. The family welcomes anyone who is fully vaccinated to join in the celebration of life. If you are not comfortable wearing a mask and/or have not received the COVID-19 vaccine, we ask you to remain at home.