Clayton Allen Reece

1940 - 2023

Clayton Allen Reece (83) of Woodland, CA, died peacefully at home on May 27, 2023, surrounded by family.Clay was born on May 19, 1940 in Huntington Park, CA to Donald and Dorothy Reece. During his childhood, Clay lived in Thailand and India. He traveled and had adventures, learning languages, riding horses, flying planes, playing with gibbons and hunting for banded kraits. Clay returned to America in 1958 for his senior year of high school and, as he would say, to drink a real Coca Cola. There, he was a swimmer and water polo player, and worked as a lifeguard at Manhattan Beach. Clay enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves, where he picked up many of his famous and colorful quips, before attending San Jose State University, earning a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Chemistry. He and Mary Young were married in 1969 and then moved to Davis, where he began his teaching career at UC Davis. The family moved to Woodland in 1971. Big Grampy, as Clay was affectionately called by his grandkids, will be remembered for the love and devotion he had for his wife, children and grandchildren. He instilled a passion for education, teaching, gardening, sports, and all things chemistry. He loved being with his family, especially during our weekly Sunday dinners.Clay is survived by Mary, his wife of 54 years, and his children, Margaret (Greg Gazda), Katie (Michael Brooks), John (Julianna), Barbara (Matt Huntington), and Matthew (Stephanie Halland), and nine grandchildren, Zachary & Nicholas Gazda, Ian & Lily Brooks, Nizhoni & Nat'aani Reece, Jayden Mitchell, and Logan & Landon Reece. Our family would like to express great gratitude to Clay's beloved physician, Dr. John Thomson, with whom Clay loved to trade World War II stories during his appointments, as well as the Sutter Hospital Hospice team.A Celebration of Life will be held at Séka Hills Olive Mill & Tasting Room (13826 County Road 78, Brooks, CA) on Saturday, July 15, 2023, beginning at noon.