Thomas Clay

Thomas C. T.C. Clay, III, 83, of Independence, died Sept. 16, 2007, at Trinity Medical Center in Brenham. Mr. Clay was born April 4, 1924, in Independence, Texas, to David Jones and Imogene Lyons Clay. He was a graduate of Brenham High School and attended Texas A&M University. Mr. Clay served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He lived most of his life on the Clay Ranch, where he was born and where he also died. The loves of his life were his family, his ranch, and his Longhorns. On May 28, 1946, he was married to Leigh Ruth McCauley in Wimberly, Texas. He was a founding member of the Prairie Hill Fire Department, Independence Cemetery Association, the Independence Historical Society and the Sons of the Confederacy. Survivors include his wife Leigh Ruth Clay of Independence; sons and daughters-in-law, Finney Mack and Donna Clay, Tommy and Squeeky Clay, David Jones and Patti Clay and James Sheppard Clay, all of Brenham; grandchildren, Crystal Leigh Clay, Joshua Jones and Cindy Clay, Jentri Lorene and Justin Blake, Johanna Desiree Clay and special friend Chance Wilkerson; Jordan Leigh Clay, Travis Scott Clay, Cpl. Colt McRyan Clay and Casie Jannell Clay; great-grandchildren, David Martinez and Payton Clay Blake; and brother and sister-in-law, E. Finney and Ruth Clay of Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his father David Jones Clay and mother Imogene Lyons Clay Chapel; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Inez and S.B. McCauley; grandson, Tommy Clay; and daughter-in-law, Becky Lynn Clay. Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19 at Independence Cemetery in Independence. Mr. Clay s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Memorials may be given to Prairie Hill Fire Department or Independence Cemetery Association. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., Brenham. For more information, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.