True American cowboy, longtime rancher, and friend of agriculture, Perry W. Clay, passed away peacefully August 17, 2017 at Ivinson Memorial Hospital.
He was born, February 21, 1927, the son of Carroll Clay and Wana (Schrader) Clay in Canton, Missouri moving to Laramie as a baby after the death of his father. He grew up near Laramie raising cattle and putting up hay with a team of horses. As a 4-H project, he and a brother grew acres of lettuce and peas on his granddad’s farm on the edge of Laramie.
Prior to finishing his studies at the University of Wyoming he was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946. Shortly after receiving his degree he was employed at the UW Experimental Farm in Gillette where he met and married Gloria Gregory, March 17, 1952. Afterwards, Perry was the County Extension Agent for Laramie County and Weston County. He was proud to be a Wyoming Brand Inspector, President of Albany County Stockgrowers, Albany County Fair Beef Superintendent, 4-H leader, and member of the Albany County Fair Board and Wyoming Livestock Board.
In 1959, the couple and their three young children moved to the T-K Ranch in Centennial Valley where Perry and Gloria worked side-by-side to help his mother’s husband run the herd of mother cows. At one time, there were four generations all living and working on the ranch.
Perry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gloria; brother, John (Cheyenne); daughter, Riki (Rick) Westbrook, Cody; sons, Bill (Amy) Clay, Encampment; and Jim (Maggie) Clay, Laramie; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carroll Clay and Wana Clay Olson; and brothers, Harold and Jim.
Perry’s Celebration of Life will be a private gathering sharing stories of his love for family, ranch life in the beautiful Centennial Valley, and riding his favorite buckskin mare, Princess, with his best cow dog, Speed.
Please, no flowers. The family requests donations made to the Centennial Valley Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 231, Centennial, WY 82055; or the Centennial Valley Community Church, P.O. Box 85, Centennial, WY 82055.
9 Comments To "Perry W. Clay"
#1 Comment By Anonymous On August 21, 2017 @ 10:29 am
Jim, Maggie & family,
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Please know you are in our prayers. May the wonderful memories you have help you find peace and comfort in this time of need.
#2 Comment By Pep and Kathy Speiser On August 22, 2017 @ 6:37 am
Gloria, Bill, Jim, Ricki and families, our sincere sympathy is with you. I’m sure Perry has found another ranch to grow under his wings!
#3 Comment By Tom Moore On August 22, 2017 @ 1:28 pm
My condolences to Perry’s family and to all his extended family. He was a school friend andI have good memories of Perry and his family
His mother and brothers were very special. RIP. Tom Moore
#4 Comment By Tom Moore On August 22, 2017 @ 1:32 pm
My codolence to Perry’s family. He, his mother and his brothers wer very special people. RIP!
#5 Comment By John and Liz Henn On August 23, 2017 @ 7:04 am
Perry’s family, sorry to hear about Perry’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We had some good times as a neighbor years ago.
#6 Comment By Robin Coulthard-Wangen On August 23, 2017 @ 7:25 am
To the Clay Family, You all are in our prayers! What a magnificent footprint he left!
#7 Comment By Tawnie Kern On August 23, 2017 @ 11:00 am
Was very sad to hear of the passing of Perry. Growing up in the valley, I have known Perry and Gloria all of my life, what a great man and what a great family! You all are in my prayers.
#8 Comment By Croonbergs On August 31, 2017 @ 11:00 am
Our deepest sympathy is with you all,
Linda and Jean Croonberg
#9 Comment By Jean Croonberg On August 31, 2017 @ 11:31 am
Sending our love and sympathy to the Clay Family
Linda and Jean Croonberg