Clay Birdwell

Clay Birdwell, 59, fought the good fight and then finished the race on Wednesday morning, August 7, 2013. He was at home in Henley, Texas, with family by his side. Funeral services, under direction of Resthaven Funeral Home, will be held in Lubbock,

Texas, on Monday, August 12, at 10 a.m. at Broadway Church of Christ, 1924 Broadway St. Rev. Bill Bowen will officiate. A graveside service will follow at Resthaven Cemetery.

Clay was born December 11, 1953, in Odessa, Texas. He grew up in Lubbock, graduating from Coronado High School in l972. He attended Texas Christian University, and then transferred his sophomore year to Texas Tech in Lubbock, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in business in 1976. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. In l981, he married Martha Behner Igo, and the two later became members of Bella Vista Baptist Church.

Clay was installed in March as President of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Assoc. (TSCRA). He also served as President of Great Plains Cattle Feeders, Hip O Cattle Co., Birdwell Cattle Co., and was also on the board of directors for Texas Cattle Feeders and Texas Beef Council as well as National Cattleman’s Beef Assoc. In addition, he was on the Executive Committees of National Finance Credit Corp. and the Texas Livestock Marketing Assoc. He was elected a director of TSCRA in March, 1995, became second vice president in 2009, first vice president in 2011, and president in 2013.

His wit and humor, warmth and love of people were evident in each of his leadership roles. No matter how busy he became, his top priorities were his Lord, his family and his various businesses. He took great joy in them and especially loved ranching with his sons and hunting with his grandchildren. He enjoyed raising horses, too, as well as grilling outside or cooking inside for friends and family. He was grateful for every blessing, great or small.

Family visitation will be Sunday, August 11, from 3-5 p.m. at Resthaven Funeral

Home, 5740 W. 19th St.

Clay is pre-deceased by his father, John E. Birdwell, and his mother, Genene Bateman Birdwell. He is survived by his wife, Martha; three sons, Grant and wife Carlye Birdwell of Austin, Marcus Birdwell of Austin, Blake and wife Elaine Birdwell of Muleshoe, and a daughter Amanda and husband Brooks Hodges of Guthrie; four grandchildren, John Douglas and Henry Birdwell, Clay Hodges, and Beau Birdwell; and two brothers, Britt and wife Lisa Birdwell, and Scott and wife Michelle Birdwell. He was close to and felt well loved by a number of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews as well.

Pallbearers are Hatch Cummings Smith Jr., Chick Burney, Alfonzo Moreno, Clint Walker, Keith Hanson, Dr. Robert Gross, Joe Parker Jr, and Ryan McBride. The family suggests that memorials be sent to: The Children’s Home of Lubbock, PO

Box 2824, Lubbock, Tex. 79408, or TSCRA Foundation, 1301 West 7th St., Fort Worth, Texas 76107-4062, or the charity of choice.

Following the graveside service, a private luncheon by invitation will be held at the Ranching Heritage Center, 3121 4th St., Lubbock.

Condolences may be offered at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com