Gordon Clay

Gordon Dee Clay was born March 16, 1947, in Hastings, Nebraska, the son of Homer Arthur and Mabel Katherine (Ochner) Clay and passed away Thursday, November 12, 2008, at Methodist Hospital, in Omaha, Nebraska.

He lived in Grand Island, Nebraska, and attended school there until 1961. His family then moved to Atlantic, Iowa, where Gordy graduated from Atlantic High School in 1965. Gordy was married to Arla Sue Petersen on May 11, 1968, at the Fletcher Chapel Methodist Church, Cass County, Iowa. Two sons, Gregory and Darren, were born to this union. Gordy worked for Cappel Ace Hardware in Atlantic for several years before moving to Audubon to open his own business, Clay's Ace Hardware. He operated his business from 1975 until 1985. The Clay family then returned to Atlantic, and Gordy once again worked at Cappel Ace Hardware.

Gordy was a great father and lived for his children and grandchildren. His grandchildren can attest to the fact that he was an all around great tickle monster. Gordy was a jack of all trades, he knew a little bit about everything after working at Ace Hardware for all those years. He enjoyed wood working and had his own shop to pursue this hobby. Gordy also enjoyed playing solitaire on his computer.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Arla of Atlantic, Iowa; his sons, Gregory (Lori) Clay of Dallas Center, Iowa and Darren Clay of Walnut, Iowa; his grandsons, Briar and Gage Clay and his granddaughters, Grace and Ellan Clay; his sisters, Connie (Wilber) Wrage, and Doris (Jim) Hehnke, all of Grand Island, Nebraska; his mother-in-law, Eleanor Petersen of Atlantic, Iowa; his brothers-in-law, Albert and Larry Petersen, both of Atlantic, Iowa; his sister-in-law, Rosemary (Raymond) Zellmer, of Wiota, Iowa; and 9 nieces, 2 nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Mabel Clay, and his father-in-law, Arnold Petersen.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 15, 2008, in the chapel at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa.

A visitation will be held Friday, November 14, 2008, from noon to 7:00 p.m. with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. also at Hockenberry's in Atlantic.

Burial of ashes will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.