David Milton Clay

JENNINGS David Milton Clay entered this world in Evangeline, Louisiana on January 11, 1918 the son of David William and Laura Belle Clay. He passed on into our Lords loving embrace in Jennings, Louisiana on December 23, 2009. He was the youngest of eight children. He grew up in Jennings, Louisiana and graduated High School there before going to work for Southern Bell Telephone and later joining the U.S. Army during WW II. Post World War II he was stationed in the Philippines, Okinawa, Texas and Oklahoma before being assigned to duty stations in Germany and France. He traveled extensively with his family while stationed in Europe. His last overseas duty stations were in the Philippines and Korea before he ended his career of 21 years in the U.S. Army at the rank of first sergeant, E-8, in Washington state. From his beginnings in the little town of Evangeline he began a sojourn that took him across oceans and down many roads around this earth that eventually brought him back home. David was a member of the American Legion of Foreign Wars Gay Jones Post 921 and was a Master Mason of Lodge 249. David has an amazing memory and could recite details about people, events and places from many decades ago. He made fast friends and kept them for a life time writing countless cards and letters over the years to keep in touch. He had a quick wit; a quip and a joke were always at hand. He had that southern charm, manners and gentlemanly ways. He was strict with his children but none of us would begrudge him that for underlying it all was his kindness and love. He had a hearty laugh and he loved to read and retain facts. He was a teacher. He had an energy and vigor about him that was contagious. He loved to eat and was more than lucky to have married women that were and are undoubtedly the best cooks on this planet. David was traveler and had an unsettled soul. He found our Lord later in life and was baptized unto him in a cold mountain stream in West Virginia. David was stubborn and caring. Above all he was a man that lived life on his own terms. He was not perfect and few of us in this life will be but we believe that our Lord has taken his spirit unto him. His family loved him deeply and he is missed. David is home now and our journey is a bit more lonesome until we meet again. David is survived by his wife Stella Clay of Evangeline, Louisiana; his six children, David William Clay (Elizabeth) of Odessa, TX, Frankie Jean Tatum (Gary) of Houston, TX, Ernest Milton Clay (Kathy) of Willis, TX, Ginger Clay (Bernie) Bernauer (Bernie), David L. Clay (Carey), Thomas A. Clay all of Snohomish, WA; several step-children, numerous grand-children and great grand-children, cousins, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. We are so very thankful for our step-mother, Stellas grace, patience and loving devotion to our Papa and Dad. The family would like to offer a special thank you to Pastor Couch. Sincere heartfelt thanks go out to Velta and Judy and all of his loving caregivers at the Southwest Louisiana War Veterans Home, Jennings American Legion Hospital and Heart of Hospice. Funeral home visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 1, 2010; and 8:00 a.m., Saturday until time of services at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Rev. John Couch will officiate. Burial with Military Graveside Honors will be in Greenwood Cemetery under direction of Miguez Funeral Home of Jennings. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Lottie Moon Mission Offering or the Cornerstone Baptist Church.