Grady Edward Clay Jr.

Grady Edward Clay Jr. obituary, Louisville, KY

Grady Clay Obituary

CLAY, GRADY EDWARD JR., 96, writer, gardener, and urbanist, died Sunday, March 17, 2013 in Hosparus Care at the Norton Healthcare Pavilion.

He died of an inoperable blood clot in his right leg. In his last days, he continued to cheer and entertain his family and friends with stories, poems, songs, kisses and eloquent hand-gestures.

Clay grew up in Atlanta, earning a bachelor's degree from Emory University. After gaining his masters in journalism from Columbia University he hitch-hiked to Louisville in 1939 for a job interview with the Louisville Times. Earning $25 a week he first did general reporting.

In 1942, he joined the Army at Fort Knox and soon became the distribution officer of the European Edition of Yank Magazine, a job he got because of his rotogravure experience at the Courier. He received a purple heart at Anzio due to a shell fragment. One of his favorite stories involved his getting into Rome and successfully requisitioning the paper supply of the Vatican. He was later promoted to Captain and placed in charge of the Alaska Edition.

Returning to the Courier, he was the real estate editor and the urban affairs editor until 1966. During this time he was honored by a Neiman Fellowship at Harvard in 1948-49, studying mostly with historians and landscape architects. He became the editor of Landscape Architecture Magazine, and continued as an author into his 90s. His sonorous, Georgia-accented voice was known widely from his weekly radio commentary "Crossing the American Grain".

Clay authored five books, a stack of articles 30 inches high, and innumerable pieces in the Louisville Times, Courier-Journal and Landscape Architecture. With his combination of vast knowledge and polite persuasion, he was elected the president of the National Association of Real Estate Editors and later the National Association of Planning Officials. the American Society of Landscape Architects awarded him the Olmsted Medal in 1999 and the Bradford Williams Medal (for writing) in 2006. He received numerous awards and citations in Louisville. Each year the Center for Neighborhoods gives the Grady Clay Award in his honor.

He touched the lives of many Americans by chairing the selection committee for the design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, whose powerful statement he vigorously defended in an era of controversy. He also chaired the Kent State Memorial selection committee and was a design juror for the Patriots Peace Memorial on River Road.

Some of his papers are at the University of Louisville. His journals and other papers going back to 1939 are in the archives of the Loeb Library at Harvard.

He is survived by Judith McCandless, his wife of 36 years; son, Grady E. Clay III of Denver, son, Ted and daughter-in-law, Colleen Horner of Ashland, OR, and son, Peter and daughter-in-law, Susan Endicott of Cortez, CO. He is also survived by his sister, Eleanor Calhoun of Atlanta; and grandchildren, David Horner Clay, Paul Hilliard Clay, Carrie Ann Clay and John Thomas Clay.

A memorial service will be held at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, Saturday, March 23, at 11 a.m., followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Louisville Free Public Library Foundation, the Kentucky Civil Liberties Union Foundation or the Kentucky Natural Lands Trust.

Published by Courier-Journal from Mar. 19 to Mar. 21, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Grady Clay

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I will always have fond memories of Grady.

Howard Bivens

March 13, 2019

Dear Judith,

I will never forget our relationship, first in with you in Louisville and after here in Brasil

i am very sad but certainly he had a fruitful and happy life and that is what makes us receive his departure as a blessing.

Rosa

Rosa Grena Kliass

July 15, 2013

I had the pleasure of working with Grady for fourteen years at Landscape Architecture Magazine, first as his Secretary then as the Circulation Manager. Always a kind gentleman and a teller of stories and adventures. He will be greatly missed.

Elaine Bender Schweitzer-Snellen

April 21, 2013

The nation and this community have lost an intellectual driver. The Tolbert and Matheny families have lost a friend. Grady is being missed.

Adam Matheny Jr.

March 25, 2013

I never had a conversation with Grady I didn't enjoy. I was political reporter on the Times starting in '62 and went to DC bureau after '64 election. then left newspapering to be Congressional staff, lobbyist -- that kind of stuff.

March 22, 2013

Judith, I will always remember how Grady's southern draw, quick wit and twinkling eyes would always light up a room. What a Treasure! I will keep you and your family in my prayers as you deal with this great loss.

Melissa Mershon

March 21, 2013

Fond family memories through the years. Judith, Grady, Ted/Colleen, Peter/Susan, what an amazing husband and father he was to you all. So many memories rich of 96 years of life! How lucky everyone who knew him was to be part of that. Sending love to all.

Helen Hilliard Freemyer

March 21, 2013

Grady will truly be missed in our Crescent Hill neighborhood. Rest in Peace! Sally Nielsen

March 20, 2013

Our deepest sympathies to Judith & family on the loss of a wonderful man.

The staff at Mary T. Meagher

Susan Mahoney

March 20, 2013

Judith, our heart goes out to you. Dan and I had just been talking, when we heard that he was in Hospice, about your visit here for Louis Chawla's going away party. Grady was, as always, his pleasant, charming self, commending Louise for her work. Meanwhile, Louise & all her friends and admirers reminisced that we are blessed to tred & perhaps even tend the path that was forged by the great Grady Clay. We feel so blessed to have known you both. Much love to you.

Karen Armstrong-Cummings

March 20, 2013

Judith, Grady was one of the greats! He will be missed.

Nina Walfoort

March 19, 2013

I want to say something that grady once told me its was a pleasure be in his company love you and u will be missed by alot

sue Lanham

March 19, 2013

He was an Icon to us in the profession.
Will truly be missed.

Rick Feeney

March 19, 2013

Judith,
Sorry to hear about Grady's death. We will miss all the stories you shared with us about him at break in tax class.
My prayers are with you at this time.
Mary Thompson, AARP Tax Aide

Mary Thompson

March 19, 2013

Judith, so sorry for your loss. Please let me know if I can do anything. I loved his wit, and even his grumbling!

Dottie Marzian

March 19, 2013

Judith:

Sorry to hear about Grady's death.

It was always a pleasure visiting with you and Grady all the years that I was favored with your insurance.

Howard Bivens

March 19, 2013

A graceful and courtly gentleman, visionary, and scholar, Grady taught us all so much about how we live in the landscape.

Nathalie Andrews

March 19, 2013

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