of Paris, AR
April 25, 1937 - October 12, 2019
Coach Jim Clay, 82 of Paris, Arkansas passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2019 in Paris. He was born on April 25, 1937 in Avilla, Arkansas to his parents Jimmy Elgin Clay, Sr. and Elsie Faye (Marshall) Clay.
Coach Clay began his education graduating from Bryant High School, after high school he received his Bachelor's degree from the College of the Ozarks in Clarksville, where he also played football and later received his Masters of Education degree from the Arkansas Teacher's College in Conway. Coach Clay worked as both a teacher and coach with the Paris School District for over 30 years. After retiring from the Paris School District he served as a Logan County Justice of the Peace, Logan County Tax Assessor and the Mayor for the City of Paris. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Paris and always enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and watching football.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jimmy Elgin Clay, Sr. and Elsie Faye (Marshall) Clay and two brothers, Gary Don Clay and Wayne Clay.
He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Carolyn (Stumbaugh) Clay of Paris; three daughters, Angela Kindrick and husband Billy of Russellville, Terri Goates and husband Thomas of Marion, North Carolina and Patti Huber and husband Chris of Subiaco; one sister, Sue Mueller of Saukville, Wisconsin; one brother, Ricky Clay and wife JoAnn of Searcy; eight grandchildren, Trevor Cooper of Dover, Katie Goates of Fayetteville, Christa Huber of Vermillion, South Dakota, Andrea Kindrick of Russellville, Matti Huber of Conway, Billy Clay Huber of Subiaco, Clint Kindrick of Fort Smith and Candice Simpson of Atlanta, Georgia and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at First United Methodist Church in Paris under the direction of Roller Funeral Home in Paris.
Honorary pallbearers will be all of Coach Clay's former athletes of Paris High School.
I have just heard of his passing.
I remember Coach Clay back when I was in grade school. He was such a nice man and I thought he was so cool! I had no idea that he was even the Mayor at one time! It's no surprise, though. He was just that influential and well known. I wasn't one of his athletes, I was just a student.
My condolences to his family.
I had the pleasure and misfortune, because his team's were always so well prepared, of playing against and the coaching against teams that he coached. He never hesitated to pass along his knowledge of football or life to anyone who was willing to learn. Congratulations Coach Clay on a life well lived! Prayers for Coach and his family! RIP!
Clay Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with your Family
Neal and Tammy Wade
Carolyn, Praying for you and family! So sorry for your loss!
Thoughts and prayers for a great man and his family! He was a kind man with a sweet soul! His love and kindness lives on in the hearts of those who was blessed to know him! Love to his sweet family!
Carolyn and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Coach Clay was a wonderful man and the people of Paris will miss him.
With Love,
The Donhams
So sorry for yalls loss. Jim was a great man. Prayers for you all.
Carolyn,
We are so very sorry for your loss! Ann and I send our thoughts, prayers and love to you, the girls and your family.
Dana Jo (Hughes) Jackson
Ann (Hughes) Baldwin
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Coach Clay will be greatly missed.
So sorry for your loss! Coach Clay was my teacher, coach, and most of all my friend! He was there to help me get through a difficult time in my life. He was always good to me, except for one time when I was officiating the Paris vs Subiaco game. I called a pass interference against Paris just before halftime. He chased me up the hill and into the gym. I had no idea he could move that fast! Coach Clay really made a difference in the life of a lot of young people. Praying for all of you! Bill McKelvy, class of 1973.
Paris loss a great Coach and person, praying for him and his family he is in a much better place now. Forever a Eagle!
Deepest heartfelt condolences
So sorry for your loss! Loved having Coach Clay as a teacher in High School!
Coach Clay was a good all around person My prayers are with y’all
Sorry for your loss thoughts and prayers for everyone.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all he was a great man he will be missed
Coach Clay was our coach, teacher, & role model in 1963, 64, 65, & 66. He was one of the best and we shall never forget the good things he taught us.
Coach Clay was a great teacher! When I first met coach his size scared me but I soon learned what a sweet man and great teacher he was! I later had the opportunity to help in his care! I was so honored to have the opportunity to have the chance to give back to Coach Clay when it came that time in his life! He has given so much of himself and touched so many lives throughout his own! The memory of Coach Clay will forever be in the hearts of so many! I am so sorry he is gone but so thankful for the memories! My thoughts and prayers are with you Mrs. Clay , Patti and for the rest of your family! Mrs. Clay many, many hugs and love to you! Kimberly Higgins!
He was a great coach, teacher and man. He will be missed by all.
Loved him like my dad. Played football for the Eagles (class of 65) and remember him never raising his voice to me even when I messed up. Good man, great loss and we will all miss him.
Please know, Mrs. Clay, that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers as you celebrate the life you and Jim shared together. . Even though I only went to Paris High my junior and senior year, I always remember your husband as one of my favorite teachers. He was kind, wise and a great mentor to so many people. He will, indeed, be greatly missed. Becky Hull THOMPSON
He was a great coach and wonderful person.
Deepest sympathy
I have not lived in Paris since I graduated from High School in the 80s. Coach Clay is one of my better memories as both a coach and for the quiet advice and guidance to a young man when he needed it. I am sure the same could be same for many whose lives he touched. God Bless and RIP Coach Clay.
Prayers for the family. He was such a joy and true treasure to the Paris Eagle Pride.
I was in coach clay second. Civics class! He was a giant among men. Always kind never intimidating! what a wonderful man he was!
🌹
So sorry to hear about Jimmy. He was a fine boy when I attended Bryant High School with him and Sue.
Carolyn, Frances and I will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Jr and Frances Clay
So sorry to hear this. I believe he is enjoying his reward in the next life and he will always live in the memory on those that knew and loved him. Thanks again, Coach.
So sorry for your loss
May God give you comfort..
Prayers for the family
Linda Green
My deepest sympathies and prayers.
I'm so sorry to hear this. He was always a positive role model for me in school and as a neighbor. May the Angel's carry him home softly.
I'm very sorry for the loss. coach was a great influence growing up .a great man he will be missed
Deepest sympathy for your loss. Coach Clay was always a very respected leader of young men. He will be missed!
I am so sorry to hear this news. He was a kind person and a great teacher. He was a leader in the community. Heaven gained an angel! Condolences to his family!
I will never forget Coach Clay and his sincere kindness. He taught me Drivers Ed and I’ll never forget him getting into the passenger seat and with his calm voice teaching us to drive. He was a great soul and will be missed praying for his family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Coach Clay was truly a great man, loved him for a teacher, he truly cared about every student he had . He loved life and most of all he loved his family. He is rejoicing now! On a football field of Gold!! Love you Mrs. Carolyn .
Always thought that Coach Clay and my dad (Holton Primm) was cut from the same cloth, stern but fair. I know Dad always spoke highly of coach, and when they meet each other on the streets of heaven they can sit down and draw up some plays. My family's thoughts and prayers are with you during this time Miss Carolyn.
So sorry for the loss of your loved one. I will have the family in my thoughts & prayers
He lived a big life, did alittle bit of everything. Prayers for the family .
Coach Clay had a major impact on my life. I used to love to visit him when I was back from Washington DC and he was Mayor. When times seem tough I always think about those HOT August 2-a-days and find comfort that if I can make it through those, I can make it through anything. Heaven gained a truly great man today!
Love and prayers to you all.
Prayers for the family. May God carry u thru
Jennifer Crane Key
So very sad!! He was a great teacher and coach. My prayers for all his family.
Candi
Carolyn so sorry to hear this news. Prayers for you and your family. Have so many good memories of Jim.
Our thought and prayers go out to the family
So sorry for your loss. May God comfort you in the days ahead. Prayers for you all.
Sorry for your loss your family will be in my prayers
City of Paris has lost a good man just as his family lost a good husband, father and grandfather. He was not only a awesome coach, but a great teacher of life. He has won that race called life and is in a perfect body, in a perfect place. Love you all..
Hugs and prayers for Coach Clay’s family. He was a truly amazing man who had such a positive impact on so many. 💙
This makes me so sad. He was a wonderful person. RIP Coach you will be missed!
Our condolences to the Clay family. Coach Clay was a true role model for young men and I will always cherish his mentorship. God bless.
Prayers to you all. What an amazing man he was! Love to you all
We are so sorry for your loss. Ours prayers are with you.
What a great man and friend.
I am so sad to hear of the loss of Coach Clay. He was a great person whom I looked up to in school and was always a fair coach. Prayers for comfort for the family. RIP Coach Clay
You will never be forgotten by any of your Eagles!
Sad to hear of Coach's passing, I love you all Carolyn, Angela & family, Patti & family, Terri & family. Coach Clay will sure be missed on this side of heaven by many. Prayers for you all for peace that passes all understanding, Lord Jesus wrap your loving arms around each one and comfort them. Amen.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Clay Family. Coach Clay was a great mentor and role model for me as I grew up and later in life as I related to his Leadership when dealing with life’s toughest of challenges! I will miss him and always be great full to him for giving me a chance.
Coach Clay was my Civics teacher when I was a freshman at PHS. I was scared to death of him - at first. He was such a big "bear" of a man. I don't know how he was as a coach but I found him to be a big teddy bear as my teacher - instead of a grizzly bear! Please accept my deepest sympathy. Sincerely, Celeste Fox
Prayers for all the family..
Prayers for the family. Coach Clay was a great person. RIP
So sorry to hear the passing of a great man. Loves this family.
Coach Clay coached all three of my boys in football and when he was Mayor of Paris he hired my son, Steve, as police chief. His brother, Ricky Clay is married to my first cousin Joann Wood. So it was hard to believe that he had passed away. Prayers and thoughts to all family members, Paula Ceniceros
You were one of my most favorite Teachers. I will be praying for your family
I knew Coach Clay first as my teacher in jr. high, later as a Pierce Street neighbor and even later as a colleague at Paris High School. He was a fine man who made an impact on hundreds of students. My heartfelt condolences to Carolyn and all the family.
May Coach rest in peace. He was a real good coach and teacher and mayor. Praying for the Clay family. Brent Appleton
I was so sorry to hear of Coach Clay’s passing. He was such a wonderful teacher! My prayers are with the family.
Rest in Peace Big Jim Eagle
My condolences to you and your family at this time....
May he Rest In Peace. He was a great teacher and Coach. He will be missed. Prayers for the family.