Obituary of Robert Russell Clay

On January 27th, 1927, a baby boy was born in Sioux City Iowa to proud parents Earl and Gladys Clay. His God given name was Robert Russell Clay. Though his childhood was hard, Bob (as his friends knew him) managed to finish the 9th grade. Thereafter, he quit school to support himself by doing odd jobs before moving to Long Beach, California. At the age of 17 he joined the United States Navy where he served in the Pacific during World War II. After the war Bob was discharged from the Navy and joined the United States Marine Corps to finish out his military service in Alaska. Once his service ended, Bob moved to Michigan where he married and had three children: Robert Jr., David, and Barbara. During this time Bob learned his trade as a painter, for which he is best known. After a few years, Bob and his first wife Marie divorced and parted ways. Bob returned to Long Beach where his mother and sister lived. Some years later, Bob met Judy Bradley. After a brief courtship, they married and had three children: Donald, Lori, and Nicole. They lived in San Jose together for several years. Even though Bob moved several times around the United States, he always came back to California because that was where his heart was. Bob always said he loved the ocean and could never leave it because he hated cold weather and snow. Bob was a man of many talents. He loved to fix cars and other various things. He knew how to do a little of everything. He also loved gospel and old country western music. Other favorite pastimes of Bob's were watching old western movies and fishing with his friends. On May 26th, 2003, Bob passed away in the early hours of the morning in Lodi, California. Bob is surved by his three daughters; Barbara Clay of Flint, Mich., Lorraine V. Clay of Fountain, Colorado and Nicole Bradley Clau of San Jose, CA; two sons; Robert Russell Clay, Jr. of North Andover, Mass., and David A. Clay of Flint, Mich.; his sister, Lorraine Sprague of California, Maryland; his brother, Fred C. Clay of Long Beach, California; and three grandchildren, Marcie, Russell and Ryan Clay all of North Andover, Mass. He was preceded in death by his son, Donald Clay in 1972, and his brother Earl Eugene Clay in 1986. Peace is what Bob has finally found. That is what Bob spent his entire life looking for. May his soul rest in peace and his love be remembered.