Johnny Clay

Johnny Clay, 63, of Blanton passed away Thursday, May 14, 2015, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 18, 2015, at Central Baptist Church in Itasca with Rev. Wade Yarbro of Chisolm Trail Church officiating. Burial will follow at Itasca Cemetery in Itasca. Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Sunday, May 17, 2015, at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro.

Johnny was born May 28, 1951 in Matador to Oma Lester and Velma Leona (Gunnels) Clay. He grew up in Spur and graduated from high school there. On November 20, 1982, Johnny was united in marriage to Karla Ellison in Itasca. For many years, he worked in construction before a job related injury led to his retraining. He graduated from Hill College in 1997 with a 4.0 grade point average, 30 years after completing high school. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State University in 1999.

After his injury, Johnny served as a caregiver to numerous family members. He was very outgoing and truly never met a stranger. He was a Christian, who was a greeter and helped with feeding the homeless at his church. He always put everyone else before himself. The most important job that Johnny ever had was being a Paw-Paw.

Preceding him in death were his parents; infant daughter, Christie Denise Clay; mother-in-law, Marie Ellison; father-in-law, Albert Ellison; uncle, Johnny Szabo; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Linda Ellison; and brother-in-law, Rance Higginbotham.

Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Karla Clay of Blanton; two daughters, Jodi Hawhee and husband, J. R., of Joshua and Veronica Denise Clay of Spur; two brothers, Dexter Clay and wife, Judy, of Spur and Al Clay and wife, Jo Anne, of Granbury; five sisters, Jean Shaw and husband, Dennis, of Dickens, Gail Roberts of Dickens, Cathy Higginbotham of Colorado, Martha Shipman and husband, Clifford, of Brownwood, and Pat Hart and husband, DeWayne, of Granbury; two granddaughters, Kelsey Evans and husband, KJ, and Gracie Hawhee, all of Joshua; a great-grandbaby on the way, Ayden Jace Evans; aunt, LaNita Szabo; sister and brother-in-law, Ginger Tindell and husband, Stan, of Waco; brother-in-law, Wendell Ellison; and a number of nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

Visitation

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM ,Sunday, May 17, 2015
Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro
2495 Corsicana Highway Hillsboro, TX 76645

Funeral Service

2:00 PM ,Monday, May 18, 2015
Central Baptist Church in Itasca
401 N Monroe St Itasca, TX 76055

Burial

Monday, May 18, 2015
Itasca Cemetery
Itasca, TX