Memorial service for Retired SFC John Douglas Clay, 77 of Killeen, TX will be held Monday, June 13, 2022, 4:00 p.m. at Chisolm's Family Funeral Home in Killeen, TX. Inurnment with full military honors will be held Wednesday, June 15, 2022, 3:00 p.m. at the DFW National Cemetery in Dallas, TX.

John Raymond Douglas Clay was born on January 6, 1945, in Brenham, Texas to parents, Raymond Douglas Clay and Eulena Burnette Clay. John passed away peacefully in his sleep, while at home in Killeen, Texas on June 1, 2022.

As a child, John was baptized at Independent Missionary Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas.  Upon moving to Dallas, John attended Peoples Missionary Baptist Church.  John was educated in the public schools in Brenham, Texas and graduated from Pickard High School in the Class of 1962. It was there that he earned All-State in Baseball.  After high school, John attended both Bishop College in Dallas, Texas and Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. After college, John proudly served his country for over twenty years in the United States Army, which included serving in the Vietnam War. John retired from the Army with a rank of Sergeant First Class with numerous honors and went on to become a probation officer in Texas. John furthered his education by earning a master's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Texas. His dedication to serve the community led him to work at the Central Texas Workforce Center where he helped ex-offenders get jobs. He eventually retired from CTWC to help take care of his ailing mother and enjoy the fruits of his hard labor.

In retirement, John enjoyed fishing and watching sports, including his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys. He also enjoyed having family over and putting his amazing grilling skills to use.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Eulena, and by his brothers, Henry and Dorran Clay.

John is survived by his wife, Patricia Clay; Daughters, Caprina and Chavonn Clay; stepdaughters, Scipio Clay-Igbeare, Tonja (Jacob) Graham, and Evonne Alexander; and his 11 grandchildren, Johne, Currin, Mallaki, Aliya, AiJalon, Sadiemary, Allie, Mara, Landon, Tyler, Theodore, Paris and Jacoby, as well as a host of other relatives and friends.