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Richard Gene Clay, 85, of Santa Fe, passed away Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, at Lima Memorial Health Systems.
Richard was born Nov. 16, 1930, in Indianapolis, to the late Dolpha and Zilpha Piatt Clay. He married his first wife, the former Ruth M. Spence, on May 23, 1940. He also was preceded in death by three stepchildren, David Knisley, Dennis Runkle and Danny Longbrake.
On June 30, 1994, he married his high school sweatheart, the former Patricia A. Oakley Longbrake and she survives, along with his children, Julia Emily Clay Niarchos and Richard William Clay; three stepchildren, Carol Dabe, Larry Longbrake and Christine Lykins; four grandchildren; 11 stepgrandchildren; four great-grandchildren; numerous great-stepgrandchildren; and his sister, Rose Mary Shroyer.
Richard was a descendent of the Piatt Family of West Liberty and was raised on a farm outside of Lakeview. He was a 1949 graduate of Stokes Local Schools and United States Air Force veteran serving during the Korean War.
Richard first worked at McCall’s service center and then at Murphy’s, which later was named Skelley Lumber Company in Urbana, where he retired. Richard enjoyed fishing, gardening, and woodworking.
A kind, intelligent and generous man, Richard was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.
A memorial service will be later in the spring.
Memorial contributions may be given to Mac-A-Cheek Foundation for the Humanities, PO Box 166, West Liberty, OH 43357.
Arrangements are in the care of Shoffstall Funeral Home, Lakeview. Condolences may be expressed at shoffstallfuneralhome.com.