Clay was born , and grew up in Leroy Pennsylvania and graduated forn Troy High school in 1968 . Went to work right out of high school and in 1971 was drafted into the US Army . He was very proud of his service to his country and always said it made him who he was . He got his discharge from active duty in 1974 and went on to college on the GI bill for which he served 3 more years in the Army reserves . In the army he was a materials specialist and that set his goal for his future . He eventually graduated from Haywood Technical Institute In N. Carolina , with a degree in Industrial Management . He loved his carreer and always knew he made the best choice . He worked for several companies , but for the longest time at Universal Instruments in Binghamton NY . He was married to Susan Manley in or around 1971 . And they had a daughter Nicole . Nikki as we all called her, was a beautiful gitl and the light of his life . Unfortunately she passed away in a tragic car accident when she was a young 27 years old . He never came fully to grip swith her tragic passing and missed her terribly . Eventually He and Sue divorced at which time he met his current wife Darlene . He swept into her life and took control and never looked back . accepting her four children as his own ans never thinking of them any other way .
Clay worked at Universal for 25 years before leaving to pursue other interests . Took some time off and then briefly worked at Alstom Transport In Hornell NY . That proved to be difficult as he lived away from home all week and only came home weekends . So he Left there and came back to Binghamton and worked at Eck Plastics for a time until he found his calling with Rynone Manufacturing in Sayre PA .He loved his work and always set out to do the very best he could for what ever company he worked for . His favorite job ever was Rynone . He talked about it and all the friends he had made there all the time .
When Clay joined our family in 1988 , It was full steam ahead . Always making plans for vacations and trips and cookouts and whatever else he could think of., to be surrounded with family and fun . He always was the best of hosts and together we hosted many get togethers , parties and barbecues for friends and family . Holidays ,especially Christmas were his favorite time of all . He loved being surrounded by family and especially playing SANTA for the little ones . Something he did almost every year as long as there was a child to make a special moment for . He made us all laugh with his silly jokes and fun loving way . He was a hard worker but when it was time to relax he loved having fun .
I would not be writing about his life unless I mentioned his love for sports . There was not one sport he did not like . He would watch hours and hours of Golf and we would kid him that that was like "watching grass grow". But he never got tired of watching . especailly it it was Tiger Woods . You name it Football , Golf , Tennis, Ice Skating , Nascar . You could always find him with the remote looking for some interesting sports program . He also loved fishing and we had many good times on Lake Erie with his old friend Tom catching Walleye . Those were the best of times .
I also need to mention his deep love and caring for animals . He always had a favorite dog and took them for dialy walks . His little Walking buddy Toby , misses him terribly as I do also . He also loved cats and even up until the time he died was always wanting to save one . Just this summer we rescued an abandoned Kitten and he insisted we keep it . And so we did . There are not enough words to describe someone who loved life as much as Clay . When he became sick last December life was very hard for him . His legs were paralyzed and he could barely eat a thing and still he always remained positive . His outlook on life was to always be positive and forget the negative . And it seemed every day he had another bump in the road as he called them . Through his positive outlook he regained his legs and was just " getting his life back " when he suddenly passed away . Although his heart was weak he still was trying to take care of his family .
At this point I just want to say thank you Clay for being a wonderful husband , father , step father , brother , brother in law and all around GOOD person . You worked hard . played hard and now it is your time . I will always appreciate all you did for me and my children . All the times you encourgaed me in my business and all the help getting it off the ground . You are deeply loved and missed more than words can say . We would be celebarating our 25th anniversary September 30th , who could have known you would not be here ?
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