Mr. Ronald Clay

****NOTE: SEASON'S OF CHANGE CHURCH IS HOSTING A SERVICE IN LOVING MEMORY FOR THE FAMILY OF MR. RONALD CLAY ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2022. ****PLEASE SEE MEMORIAL SERVICE TIME, DAY & LOCATION BELOW**** *****PLEASE NOTE: WHEN ENTERING THE CHURCH: MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING ARE STILL REQUIRED. THE CHURCH WILL PROVIDE HAND SANITIZER WHEN ENTERING THE BUILDING. If you have any questions, please contact us at: (269) 342-1000 ________________________________________ Ronald Clay age 72, a remembered friend, son, father, brother, uncle, nephew, and cousin passed away suddenly at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Battle Creek, MI and went to be with the Lord on Sept 17, 2022. Ronald Clay was born on Aug. 16, 1950, in South Haven, MI to Joseph Clay and Janet Gray and he spent most of his life and time with his mother and stepfather Claire Smith in South Haven, MI at the family home Claire built. Ronald really enjoyed his hometown of South Haven Michigan and had nothing but fond memories that he shared there with family and friends. He spent a lot of time with his aunt Pie and Uncle Lawrence (His mothers’ sister and brother that were close in age, and they maintained a good relationship over the years. Ronald was known for being intelligent, good looking and an athletic stand out running track n field and playing football. He achieved several accolades from playing High school sports and until this day the memories echo at Lacrone Park in Kalamazoo tell of him always having his ball in the trunk and able to put a few points on the board with the young guys. You can always hear him say, “I've always been an athlete.” Ronald was proud of his friends that he grew up with there in what he considered a very tight nit community and was very intentional in telling you how good of a boxer one of his closest friends was (Ralph Cunningham) and that he was a true golden glove. Rons’ intellect landed him a bachelor’s degree in Education from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI where he exercised his love for teaching by becoming a valued teacher in the public school system for over 30 years. Ronald and his brother Joe Clay developed quite a reputation as being good looking and somewhat of lady's men which in turn produced 5 children to follow from a few different relationships. Ronald tried his hand in marriage a couple of times but remained single for the remainder of his days. Ron was an extremely hard worker. His attitude toward work and his work ethics were excellent. He was not a lazy man and worked until his legs and hand did not cooperate anymore. He was a very loyal friend to the end, was known for dressing well, keeping up with himself, talking your ear off, and continuing to talk your ear off. He liked most of all to fish at some of the best spots around with his friends or by himself and enjoyed going to the Allegan damn when the salmon were running. Somehow Ronald managed to keep the same bicycle, fishing poles, basketball, High School bow tie, pants, and football for over 30 years and other unbelievable items for over 50yrs! Until his dying day, Ronal could never stop talking about how good his mothers’ cooking was and if you knew Janet you knew why it left such an impression on him. It caused him to carry around his own Tupper wear for 50 years so he could grade some of his friends and family around the holidays by just popping in for a plate to take home trying to see if they “captured the taste”. On Aug. 16, 2022; his last birthday, Ron was presented with the best rendition of his Mothers German Chocolate cake from the Victorian Bakery. Ron will always be remembered by being the cool guy that never lost his cool stride, stayed to himself, never bothered anybody, and never stopped talking, (even if you were not listening). Ron prided himself in living a quite simple “economic” life. If you ever wanted to find Ron it was not hard. Just knock on his door and you would find him sitting in his favorite chair watching anything related to any sport. He thoroughly enjoyed when the Olympics were on. Ronald Clay will go down in history as having exemplified one of the best memories displayed by a human being by being able to chronicle how many times his brother stole his clothes, what days they fought most and what the streets of Chicago was like when he was 3 and the color of his dad’s suite when he was 4. His good memory remains a mystery. Ron was preceded in death by his Grandparents J.D and Dora Clay, father joseph Clay, his mother Janet Gray- Smith, and his stepfather Claire Smith. He leaves behind his brother Joe Clay; Sister Linda Garvin; brother Billy Garvin; Uncle Lawrence Gray and family; Auntie Jerry Cox; nieces Camille Cox- Earl and Kady Cox; Nephew Benny Donald Cox, nephew Kentay Garvin, Nephew Lamont Clay, niece and nephew twins Johnathan and Paula Clay; nephew Andre Clay, Son Dennis Branson, Son Maurice, Son Ronson Clay, Son Darnell Clay, Daughter Jessica Wallace. Also, good friends Ralph, Dale, and Howard.

Mr. Ronald Clay

August 16, 1950 - September 17, 2022