James Clay Obituary

James "Jim" Clay hung up his overalls and hat for the final time when he passed away on Friday, October 28, 2016 in Farmington, NM. Jim was born March 25, 1925 in Breckenridge, TX to Bluebell Stuard and Chris Clay.

When Jim was 17, his mother wrote a letter so he could join the Navy. He served in the Navy from 1942-1945. He married the love of his life , Eulilia Rusk, on August 17, 1946. He earned his high school equivalency diploma while working in the drafting department at the GM Plant in Grand Prairie, TX. Jim went to work at Iverson Supply in Artesia, NM in 1948. They moved to Big Spring, TX in 1950. In 1952, he followed the oilfield to the Four Corners Area. He started at San Juan Machine in Aztec. In 1955, he became a partner in Aztec Machine and joined with John Dick to build mining cars for uranium mines in Aztec, NM. In 1961, he moved to Farmington where he owned and operated Justis Supply Machine and Welding for many years.

Jim enjoyed raising hay and cattle. After retiring from Justis Supply in 1984 , he enjoyed visiting his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were the light of his life and kept him on his toes. He was known around town for the old worn out straw hats he wore because he hated breaking in new ones.

As a pillar of the community, he was instrumental in building Ricketts Ball Park. He was honored when they named one of the ball fields at Justice Park after him. In 2006, he was inducted into the Farmington Chamber of Commerce's "History Makers Hall of Fame". In 2011, he was honored by the Desk and Derrick Club for being a part of the Oil and Gas Industry in the Four Corners. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years; his parents; his brothers Clifford Clay and Ivan Webb Clay; sister Lucille Stiles; his daughter-in-law Freda Yeomans Clay; and his beloved grandson Jarrod Shepard.

He is survived by his sons, Robert C. Clay, of HI and Richard F. "Rick" Clay (Melissa) of Mancos, CO; daughter Sheila Shepard (Sid) of Farmington; grandsons, Jason Shepard (Melanie) of OK, Chaz Clay (Stephanie) of CO, and Reece Clay (Allison) of CO; granddaughter Sonja Crum (Baric) of La Plata; great-grandchildren Kolby, Teegan and Wyatt Shepard, Taylor, Jordan, Kooper, Emily and Mollie Crum, Austin and Gavin Clay; brother Gerald Clay of Utah and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held at Ricketts Park on Sunday, November 6 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family to set up a scholarship fund for local high school baseball players.