Clay developed an innovative and purposeful career providing services to children with special needs. His Outdoor Sensory Adventures hiking program and Super Saturdays camps won the American Autism Association Program of the Year Award. Clay earned his degree in education in 1975 while running track at The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He also received his Masters Degree at Georgia State University in 1982 with a focus on Recreational Therapy. He became a clinical assistant professor at the University of South Dakota in 2019.
John Clay White was born on July 4, 1953 in Kinston, North Carolina. His family moved to Atlanta in 1965 and he graduated from Gordon High School in 1971.
Clay was an avid musician plus songwriter who enjoyed playing guitar and mandolin. As an aspiring musician, he found a modicum of success with his best friend Mark Matthews in a duo called The Canary Brothers. Their biggest claim to fame was playing Songwriters Night at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
As an outdoor enthusiast he spent a lot of time hiking, scuba diving, taking his dogs to the river and doing projects at his cabin in North Georgia. He will be remembered as being a true champion for children by teaching them confidence and courage.
His older brother, Mark White, preceded him in death in 2009.
He is survived by his wife, Gayle, and her daughter, Laura Crockett and son Tony Cashio. He was adored by his two grandchildren, Sylvan and Kai, who lovingly called him Poobah. He is also survived by his brother, Dale White of Chapel Hill, NC and many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
A service to celebrate John Clay White will be held on Friday, June 24 at 3:00 p.m. at North Springs United Methodist Church, 7770 Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs, GA 30350.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Schenck School and Hess Academy.
Kids and alumni of all ages from all of Clay White's programs are invited to attend a special celebration at the Schenck School, 282 Mount Paran Road, NW, Atlanta, GA 30327 on Sunday, June 26, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
