Edwin Raymon Clay

Clay Edwin Raymon Clay, age 69, passed away quietly at his home on Saturday, December 3, 2016. An Emmy-award winning musician and television producer, he led a storied career. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Ed Clay grew up in Dayton, OH graduating from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School. With the encouragement of his mother, he earned a music scholarship to Central State University from which he graduated majoring in history. He received his Master's Degree in Communication from Miami University (OH), and an Executive MBA from the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania. His television broadcasting career began at WDTN-TV, Dayton after a brief teaching assignment in the Dayton Public Schools. There he served in various capacities, including Technical Director for The Phil Donahue Show. He later served at WMUD/WOET-TV, Dayton and the Nebraska Educational Television Network, Lincoln. In 1978, he joined WOSU as Senior Producer and ultimately, Station Manager. During his tenure, he served as Producer and Executive Producer of many notable productions, several of which were distributed by PBS, NBC, ABC/ESPN and HBO. He won a variety of broadcasting awards, including 16 Emmys. In 2009, he retired from WOSU after 30 years of service. Clay then continued his legacy as a professor and General Manager of WCSU Radio (an NPR station covering the Miami Valley area) from 2010 until his retirement from the Central State University in August, 2016. In 2015, he was inducted to the Central State Alumni Achievement Hall of Fame. Ed Clay was also a noted musician and composer receiving several Emmy awards for his music compositions and scores for television. He appeared in the public television series, Jazz Voices, which showcased some of America's leading contemporary jazz musicians. Known in the Dayton and Columbus areas as a talented pianist who worked with many well-known artists, Ed formed the quartet, Jazz Patrol, which often played at local venues in the region. As a member of Living Faith Apostolic Church, he produced the Uncompromised Word Ministries television broadcast for over 16 years. In later years, Ed Clay established himself as a photographer with his work featured in a one-man show at the Star Arts Gallery in 2009. He is predeceased by his mother and father Margaret V. Hickland and James E. Clay. He is survived by his wife, Eileen Holmes Clay; daughter, Kia Clay of Nashville; brother, Philip (Rhonda) Clay of Dayton; niece, Jamalia Clay; Annette Hudson-Clay; stepchildren; grandchildren; and a host of other relatives, church family, and friends. Celebration of Life Services will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at Living Faith Apostolic Church, 2177 Mock Road, Columbus, OH. Viewing will begin 6 p.m. followed by Service at 7 p.m. with Bishop Edgar A Posey, Eulogist. Internment Friday, December 9, 2016 at 11 a.m. at West Memory Gardens, 6722 Hemple Road, Moraine, OH. Professional Ministry Of Comfort entrusted to the WAYNE T. LEE FUNERAL SERVICE, 1370 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43205, 614 253-7944.