Keith Eugene Clay

Keith Eugene Clay was born on January 16, 1933, at his grandparents' farmhouse near Hartley, Iowa. He attended one-room country schools through the 7th grade, at which time his parents moved to a farm just south of Hartley. He graduated from Hartley High School in 1951. He entered the Air Force in March 1952. He graduated from the US Air Force pilot training in March 1954, receiving his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. During his training, he flew PA-18s, T-6s, T-28s, and T-33s. In March of 1954, he married Wilma Jager. They had 4 children, Diane, Barbara, Cynthia, and Douglas. Keith served 20 years in the Air Force, retiring in April 1972. During his career, he was stationed in Texas, Germany, California, and Florida. He had overseas assignments in Germany, Libya, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. He flew F-84Gs, F-86Fs, F-lO0s and F-4 Phantoms, all of which were jet fighter aircraft. During his career, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters, and 28 other medals, ribbons, and awards.

After retirement, he moved to Colorado, where he worked for several construction companies, first as a purchasing agent and then as a construction superintendent. He oversaw the building of several thousand residences.

He started farming in 1974, putting up hay, and that grew into a major business.

His wife, Wilma, died in 1995. He married Joan Rounds Roloff in March 2001. He and Joan enjoyed traveling to various Air Force reunions in Virginia, Arizona, Texas, Iowa, Nevada, and California.

He was a life member of the American Legion, VFW, military officers associations, NRA, and was a board member of Boulder County Farm Bureau.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, reloading his own ammo, tying his own fishing flies, woodworking, and farming.

He is survived by daughters Diane, Barbara, Cynthia, son Douglas, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Evelyn (Strampe)Clay of Hartley, Iowa, his sister, Barbara Bleeke of Minnesota, his brother Gary Clay of Fort Collins, his daughter Diane Clay of Grenada, Mississippi, and a great-granddaughter, Addison Clay.