Ernest Adams Clay

Ernest Adams Clay, age 94, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, October 19, 2015 and into the arms of his beloved wife, Mary Frances. He was a veteran of WWII, proudly serving in the Army. He served with the 4th Field Artillery Unit which later became the 97th Field F Battalion as a radio operator with a mule outfit that moved the guns. He was stationed in the South Pacific for 26 months, eleven months of that time was spent on Guadacanal. His unit went ashore at Guadacanal shortly after the first Marines hit the beach there in August 1942. He came down with malaria 15 times during his tour of duty in the Pacific. He had several near death experiences, which left him suffering a life long battle with PTSD.

Ernest settled in Kingsport after being discharged from the Army. He started working for American Electric Power as a meter reader and retired after 38 years as senior electronics engineer. He married Mary Frances Gaynor in August 1947 and joined First Baptist Church of Kingsport that same year. They were both faithful members of the church. He enjoyed talking about working on the chimes and other various projects at the church. Ernest loved ships and enjoyed traveling on a number of cruises with his wife. He also loved airplanes, and enjoyed going to air shows; especially following the recovery and restoration of the P38 'Glacier Girl'. He made several trips to Middlesboro, Kentucky to visit the museum and watch the warbirds fly. He was a 32nd Degree Mason; a 50 year member of the Kingsport Lodge No. 688. Ernest was also a 50 year member of the American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Frances; parents, James Gaither Clay and Addie Lee Prestwood; and brothers, Charles Eugene Clay and James Harry Clay.

Ernest is survived by nephews, James and wife Randi Clay of Kodak, TN, Tom Clay of Knoxville, TN, Mike and wife Judy Clay of Blackstone, VA; nieces, Pat and husband Paul Ross of Bassett, VA, and Rhonda and husband Don Fowler of Houston, AL; and many friends.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Dr. Funke's office for their many years of loving and caring for Ernest, especially Robyn, Cynthia, a very special thank you to Pat McGee, and also, a thank you to Julie Thacker; caregiver, nurse, and very special friend. We want to thank all of his private caregivers for the loving care he received during the almost 2 years that he was able to stay home. We want to extend a thank you to the staff at Wexford House for their loving care these past 16 months. We want to thank very special friends, J.D. and Carolyn Slagle, who were so faithful to call and visit; Judy Dean and her late husband Richard, who lived next door for many years and held a special place in his heart; and Charles "Duffy" Wigle, a very special friend from the HUGG ministry at First Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 on Wednesday, October 21 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The Masonic Memorial Service will follow at 7:30 p.m. conducted by Kingsport Masonic Lodge #688 F & AM. The funeral service will then follow with Dr. Marvin Cameron officiating.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, October 22 at 11 a.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery with full military honors by The American Legion, Hammond Post #3 and Gate City Post # 265. Those attending committal services are asked to assemble at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. Thursday and then proceed to the cemetery.

Mike Clay, Jim Clay, Paul Ross, J.D. Slagle, Duffy Wigle, and Don Fowler will serve as pallbearers.
Honorary pallbearers will be Sam McGee, James Clay, and Tom Clay.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial be made to First Baptist Church, 200 W. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660.

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