Donald R. Clay

Donald R. Clay was born in Portageville, MO on the 23rd of February 1933. He died on the 11th of June, 2016, in Manchester, TN. Donald was a retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, E9, who had 23 years of military service.

Donald is survived by Mary Carolyn Hutchinson Clay, his wife of 58 years; sister Delphia Clay Anderson and husband Roger from Murfreesboro, TN; their two daughters, Paige Hickernell and husband Mike of Murfreesboro, TN, and Dr. Elizabeth Renneisen and husband Eric of Chattanooga, TN; sister-in-law Pat Clay from Jonesboro, AR, and her son Jason Clay and wife Tami of Arlington, TN; brother-in-law Jerry Hutchinson of FL, and his son Barry Hutchinson and wife Serina of Macon, GA.

Preceeding him in death were his parents, Harry Clay and Kathern Lewis Clay, brother Dickie Clay, and grand parents Andrew and Myrtle Lewis.

Don grew up in Portageville, MO, and graduated from Portageville High School. After graduation he worked for a season in a local cotton gin and decided that was not a job he wanted to keep. He joined the Navy and made that his career.

He loved boats and being on the water. During his lifetime he owned many boats including canoes, ski boats, small cabin cruisers, large sail boats and the last was a pontoon boat. He also loved cars, especially sports cars. He was a member of a local Radio-Controlled aircraft club and enjoyed building and flying radio-controlled aircraft. Donald also was a pilot having first soloed in an Aeronca Champ in 1953.

Donald was extremely friendly, very knowledgeable and could talk to anyone about anything. He will be sincerely missed by everyone who knew him.