Clay Eugene Hanlon

04/23/39 - 11/23/25

That reminds me of a story... Did you hear that one about The Lawyer, The Auctioneer and The Master Storyteller? Well, he was one of a kind! Born in 1939 and raised in the small rural Delta community of Pea Green to Eugene and Evelyn

Hanlon, Clay was the middle of three children. As a farm boy, he learned to work hard and would often tag along with his dad to farm auctions, which left an indelible mark on him. Raising high quality Moravian 2-row barley for Coors, the Hanlons were a prosperous and close knit farming family. Throughout his life,

Clay remained close with his sisters, Sharon and Kathy,

as well as his many cousins. When not working for his dad raising grain, Clay stayed busy raising hell and hunting with his buddy,

Don Ice. At Delta High School, he was a stand out student and a good wrestler. He caught the eye of Kaye Goddard, a country girl from Peach Valley and Clay was easily smitten with this smart, pretty and endlessly kind homecoming queen. The stylish high school sweethearts fell in love listening to Fats Domino in

Clay's '56 Chevy Bel Air. Clay and Kaye first attended Mesa Junior College and after marrying in 1960, they headed off to the University of Colorado where Kaye earned a degree in education and Clay finished his law degree. But before he could start his legal career, he was called to service by Uncle Sam. As an enlisted member of the National Guards Reserve, he was stationed in Ft. Ord, CA where he was the epitome of humor in uniform. Once while working KP duty, Clay changed the message board at the front of the mess hall to read: "We Reserve The Right To Serve Refuse To Anyone." Clay took great delight listening to an officer scoff after reading his sign, "That doesn't even make sense!" After his military obligation was met, Grand Junction became their permanent home. With Clay practicing law and Kaye teaching elementary school, they soon welcomed their two sons, Justin and Drew. The life they built was a good one and their home was filled with love and laughter. Humor was a hallmark of the Hanlon household. In 1968, Clay and Frank Spiecker became founding members of the long-standing law firm, Spiecker, Hanlon, Gormley & Volkmann, LLP. He specialized in

family law, estate planning and probate. During his 40 year career, he was highly regarded among his legal peers. Clay was also a longtime Lions Club member and a Mesa County assistant district attorney. He was proud to be invited to assist DA Terry Farina to help prosecute one of Grand Junction's most notorious murderers and delivered a guilty verdict of murder in the first degree. Clay worked hard and played harder. He was in his element on family winter skiing vacations and summer trips to Lake Powell. Clay was fun personified and a master storyteller; the curator of the perfect joke with the best delivery. When cutting loose with friends and

family, he was in his element. As a lawyer and a friend, Clay cast a wide net and was generous in helping friends and family with legal issues. Justin and Drew both followed in their parents' footsteps by marrying their own high school sweethearts. Clay and Kaye welcomed Laini and Sherry into their lives as if they were their own

daughters. As grandparents, they were tireless supporters of their grandkids' sporting and music events and the prankster grandpa taught grandkids Conner, Emmy, Carli, Cal and Dolcie how to steal

food off of other people's plates with an extendable fork, make the perfect root beer float and play the nose flute. "Hey, well alright, sir open the gate, let em' out and whatta ya gonna bid boys!" After he retired from his law practice, not only did Clay become a well respected and sought after mediator, he also fulfilled that lifelong

dream of becoming an auctioneer. After attending auctioneer school in Montana, Clay became a local favorite for Grand Valley charity auctions. Clay had been an avid golfer, but after he retired, he golfed with a vengeance. He was very fortunate to have a close

group of true friends who enjoyed golf, poker, CMU basketball games and weekly breakfasts. Clay and Kaye traveled the world with family and friends. Even when Kaye was diagnosed with

Alzheimer's, they remained active until Kaye needed full time assistance. It was a long road, lovingly traveled. Clay's tireless caring for his high school sweetheart and his own battle with Parkinson's and dementia slowed him down considerably. After he lost Kaye in 2023, Clay's life lost its flavor, but never its humor. He had a great group of friends who rallied behind him and news of his great-granddaughter Mary always lifted his spirits. He received incredible care from Cappella Memory Support and HopeWest Hospice. During his last days, Clay was visited by family and friends. Laughter spilled out of his room as many recounted his greatest hits of humor, clever wit and hilarious pranks. On his last

evening, he listened to his favorite music by Buddy Holly, Fats Domino, Waylon & Willie and Flatt & Scruggs. Sometime during "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" he crossed over and as the fog lifted,

waiting for him on the other side... The country boy from Pea Green is once again with his high school sweetheart, the country girl from Peach Valley. Through teardrops and laughter They've passed through this world hand in hand And found their thrill On Blueberry Hill Rave On! In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to

Hopewest Hospice of Grand Junction at hopewestco.org/donate.

A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.