Name: Koops Funeral Chapel
Address: Lake Odessa, MI

Clay was my great great grandpa. I remember going over to his house to visit him and grandma. He would always help me reach my tedd grahams and milk. He'd tell me jokes and stories while i ate my snack with him and grandma. He always took me out to the garden and showed me all the plants and flower's he grew. He always told me that i had to learn how to grow everything for him to take over when he got to old to take of his precious garden. I'll never forget grandpa and i will always love him.                              Posted by  chelci curtis - lake odessa, MI   April 10, 2009

When we went to visit Clay and Cappie at their home, boy would he love seeing and holding his great-grandchildren, Zachary and Aaron! I am so glad we had those few years together living nearby so that we had a chance to get to know him and Cappie. What a sense of humor he had and a sparkle to his eye. We often remarked at how healthy and vibrant he was despite working so long as a coal miner, and wondered if it was growing and eating all the fresh vegetables from his garden helped to keep him active for so long. I am glad we have so many shared memories of his life. He will not be forgotten.                              Posted by  Christal Vandecar - Goffstown, NH   April 10, 2009

Clay Colwell was my Great Grandfather.  I don't have very many memories of him but the times that I did have with him will always be with me and in my heart.  I always will remember going to visit him, and every visit we would go out to the garden and he would tell me what each type of flower was that he had.  He would always make me laugh with his jokes.  I remember him always getting his wallet out to give me a few dollars and Great Grandma always laughing about him giving me money because shorty before him slipping me a few bucks she just had gave me a few.  I will always remember him.  I love you Great Grandpa Colwell.                              Posted by  Brandi Vandecar - Caledonia, MI   April 09, 2009

Although I only new Grandpa Clay for a short time, I loved to hear his stories and he will be missed by all who new him.              Mrs. Rick Vandecar                              Posted by  Kelley Vandecar - Caledonia, MI   April 09, 2009

Clay Colwell was my grampa! When I was a kid, my mom and dad worked different shifts and during summer months, dad would drop my brother Rick and I at grampa and grammas house for the shift change over. I have so many fond memories of those summer days. Often as soon as we arrived we would be sitting in lawn chairs with grampa out in the yard. He would share stories of fishing and other things he was doing. Sometimes he would be working on his boat (which he NEVER took out of the yard!) or painting his old Buick (sometimes with paint from a can using a brush!), or some other fix-up project.  I remember the day he had taken a plastic garbage can and attached it to his lawn mower as a “bagger”! He was an inventive person and I enjoyed all of his crazy ideas and stories. He loved to laugh and would “devil” us all the time. His stories would always make us laugh! He enjoyed bluegrass music and turned me on to such musical genius as Lester Flatt/Earl Scruggs and Bill Monroe. One time he picked up a record that I had wanted (Ted Nugent - Free For All) and brought it over. He insisted on listening to the whole thing, which we did sitting side-by-side on my twin bed in my room. He also had an appreciation of photography and he was the inspiration I have for my love of photography. The best times were definitely when he and gramma would tell stories of the old days. He will be missed, but his memories will live with me forever.                              Posted by  Kevin Vandecar - Manchester, NH   April 09, 2009

Clay was my father He was a good dad. He always made sure we had what we needed. He worked hard in the coal mines. But he always took care of us. Reminds me of the song "Coal Miners Daughter." In the summer time we didn't have shoes to wear, but in the winter time, we'd all get a brand new pair." I'll miss you dad. Love you. Regenia                              Posted by  Regenia Vandecar - Lake Odessa, MI   April 10, 2009

Clay Colwell was my GrandDad. I remember whenever me and my brother Kevin went to GrandDads he never forgot once to offer us a butterscotch disk. He had them right in his pocket ready to dish them out to us. He was a great fisherman and would take us fishing. I recall fishing a many times with him on the Ionia riverbank. I never caught much but he sure did. I dont think he kept a one either. There was never a time that our pictures were not taken when we were at GrandDads His love of Poloroid cameras was astonishing. I think the 1976 red Buick Skylark was his favorite car,he kept it very clean and never drove it much. The best part of going to Grandmas and GrandDads was they always had a story to tell us and we never left hungry. I will miss you very much   Love Ricky                              Posted by  Ricky James Vandecar - Caledonia, MI   April 09, 2009

OBITUARY

Clay Colwell

March 17, 1919 – April 8, 2009

Koops Funeral Chapel

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