David J. Clay Obituary (1948 - 2022)

David Jefferson Clay, 74, longtime resident of Snellville, GA, died peacefully in Athens, GA on May 21, 2022, surrounded by his family. David was born in Atlanta on January 17, 1948 to Otis Jefferson and Elizabeth (Cooper) Clay. He grew up in Atlanta and attended Gordon High School. At Gordon, he played football, was active in the Key Club, and was very proud to be president of the Glee Club. David also sang in the youth choir at White Oak Hills Baptist Church, where he met his future wife, Martha Umphrey. After high school graduation in 1966, David joined the U.S. Navy Reserve. Before serving on active duty in the U.S. Navy, he married his high school sweetheart, Martha, on November 1, 1967. Cryptologic Technician R 1st class David Jefferson Clay served in Pensacola, Florida, the Philippines, and Japan during the Vietnam War. He retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1987. David was the first in his family to earn a college degree when he graduated from Georgia State University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. During his time there, he worked at the WRAS and WSB radio stations. David thrived in his long career at Southern Bell/AT&T, serving in various managerial positions throughout his 26 years of leadership, retiring in 2004. His career with AT&T was bookended by educator roles with the Boy Scouts of America, Atlanta Council, and the Georgia Department of Corrections, Lawrenceville. David and Martha moved to Snellville in 1984, where they made a home for 37 years and raised two sons, Darren Jefferson and Jason Andrew. Faith, family, and friends were a huge part of David's life. He had been a member at several churches, including White Oak Hills Baptist Church (Atlanta), Church of the New Covenant Presbyterian (Doraville), where he served as an elder, and Conyers Presbyterian Church. In 2021, David and Martha moved to Athens, GA and became residents of an active, loving, and supportive retirement community. David is survived by his wife of 54 years, Martha (Umphrey) Clay; sons, Darren Clay (wife, Tisha) of Nashville, TN and Jason Clay (partner, Alyssa Jackson) of Decatur, GA; as well as sisters-in-law, Kim Scott Clay, Miriam Umphrey Kidd, Debra McManus Umphrey, and Debra Guard Umphrey; brothers-in-law, Bobby Kidd and Ronnie Umphrey; cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. David enjoyed western films from the 1950's, Christmas, acapella choral music, sharing his passion for history with his sons, country music, genealogy research, birds of Georgia, tent camping, family trips, good grammar (earning the affectionate nickname of "The Red Pen Kid" at work and at home.) He was an aficionado of the Civil War, World War II, and the Vietnam War. He was a solid rock in an emergency, tenderhearted, generous, and had a great sense humor. He was a devoted and loving family man and will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 25, 2022, 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Athens, 185 E. Hancock Avenue, Athens, 30601. Reception following. At a later date, his cremains will be buried with full military honors at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David Clay's memory to the following organizations: Wreaths Across America (wreathsacrossamerica.org) or Presbyterian Homes of Georgia (PO Box 926, Quitman, GA 31643 memo-Caring Hands)