Richard Rawson Clay
April 22, 1930 – April 16, 2018
Richard Rawson Clay passed away Monday, April 16, 2018, at his home in Othello, Wash., six days before his 88th birthday.
Richard was born April 22, 1930, in Bountiful, Utah, to Richard Van Clay and Zora LaVon Rawson Clay. Zora died moments after Richard’s birth. His father then married Iva Virginia Rawson who subsequently died in childbirth with a baby boy, Richard was lovingly raised by his stepmother Edith Althea Cheney Clay.
He graduated from Davis High School in 1948. He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad in Utah and then at a logging camp in Coos Bay, Ore. prior to being drafted into the Army in 1952. One week after he was discharged, he did what he said was the best decision of his life — he married Shirley Anne Witham on Feb. 6, 1953.
Richard had a long career in the service station business. He owned the Texaco station in Lynnwood and later in Ocean Shores, Wash. While in Ocean Shores, he obtained a commercial fishing license where he shared his joy of fishing with his children. He loved working with his hands in his mechanic work, fishing, building, wood working, gardening and loving his many grandchildren and great- grandchildren. He survived several cancer surgeries and treatments.
Richard lived the last 25 years of his life in Othello, Wash., serving in many different areas, including a service mission for the Church and managing the car wash. Richard was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Richard was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years Shirley Anne Clay; his parents Van and Zora Clay and stepmothers Virginia and Edith Clay and his grandson Kale Clay. He is survived by his children Sheryl (Walter) Wardzinski of Monroe, Wash., Mark (Nancy) Clay of Mesa, Ariz., Waunita (Scott) Sykes of Winlock, Wash., Douglas (Michelle) Clay of Wenatchee, Wash. and Steven (Karol) Clay of Othello, Wash.; 33 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren; siblings Eugene (Gayle) Clay of Lindon, Utah, Marilyn (Fred) Andersen of Centerville, Utah and Edwin (Jean) Clay of Layton, Utah; a brother-in-law, Gene (Lorna) Witham of Washington and two sisters-in-law Kay (Robert) Lowry of Seattle, Wash. and Judy (George Bianchi) Frounfelter of North Bend, Wash.
Services are being held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1200 E. Rainier St. in Othello, Wash. on Saturday, April 21, 2018. Viewing will be at 9 a.m. and Funeral Service at 10 a.m. Internment is at Abby View Cemetery in Burien, Wash. on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 1 p.m.