Dexter Clay, 1945–2020

SPUR—Dexter Clay, 75, of Spur, Texas, passed from this life Friday, December 18, 2020, in Lubbock, Texas.

Dexter was born April 21, 1945, in Croton, Dickens County, to Oma and Velma (Gunnels) Clay. He graduated from Spur High School in 1963. He married Judy Arnold on November 26, 1965 in Spur. They were married for 55 years.

Dexter began his military career in the United States Air Force in 1965. After serving in San Antonio and Wichita Falls, in 1969 Dexter was sent to Vietnam. After coming home a civilian, he moved to Amarillo and attended West Texas State University and worked part-time. He found, though, he missed the military life and reentered the Air Force in 1971. He stayed in Germany and Holland for a total of nine years, before moving back to the U.S. in 1981.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1993, he continued working, including serving two terms as Dickens County tax assessor and collector, before retiring in 2006.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Judy, of Spur; a son, Mike Clay (Paula) of Saginaw, Texas; a daughter, Melanie McCormick (Philip) of Spur; four grandchildren, Garrett, Wyatt, Wylie and Sydney; one brother, Alford Clay (JoAnne) of Granbury, Texas; five sisters, Jean Shaw (Dennis) and Gail Robert of Dickens, Kathy Higginbotham of Wellington, Colorado, Martha Shipman (Clifford) of Brownwood, Texas, and Patricia Hart (DeWayne) of Granbury; one sister-in-law, Karla Clay of Blum, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dexter was preceded in death by his parents, Oma and Velma Clay, and one brother, Johnnie Clay.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 21, 2020, at Spur Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Zapata Funeral Home.