Clay G. Simons III

Clay Simons (Bud), 72, formerly of Boise, Idaho, passed peacefully on July 30, 2024, with his loving daughter, Amy, by his side in Spokane, Washington. Born in Inglewood, California, Nov. 9, 1951, he moved with his family to Boise in 1959. He attended 4th grade at Central School, then located behind the state Capitol building the last year it was utilized. The oldest school in Boise, it featured original wood and cast iron desks with ink wells. Even at a young age, Bud had an innate sense of style and loved these desks. Then on to the newest school, Highlands Elementary, followed by North Jr. High, a year at Principia Upper School in St. Louis, Missouri and then Boise High School. He joined the Army when he turned 17. His experiences in Vietnam, of which he spoke little, seemed to have an impact on his life. His exposure to travel may have inspired him to live in a number of places. He returned to Boise at times and was motivated by his curiosity to pursue an education at BSU, where he earned a Heavy Duty Mechanics Diesel Technical Certificate. He mentioned that he is still enrolled in the school of hard knocks. He resonated with Dr. Suess who said, "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?"

Clay loved to laugh. As a child, he was easily amused. He embarrassed his family on a regular basis at restaurants when he laughed so loudly and vigorously. And yet, when at his cousins' house, he grew tired of sitting at the little kid's table (all girls), and wanted to join the adults. He was the instigator of fun. As Uncle Bud at Gramma's on Thanksgiving, he gathered all the rambunctious nieces and nephews and marched through the neighborhood singing, "Whistle While You Work" and "I've Been Working on the Railroad."

He had a lifetime in construction and woodworking that started when he built his own house in the Clear Creek Mountains when he was 25 without electricity or running water! He knew power would be coming one day so he hand-drilled all of the holes in each 2x4 and ran wire through the entire house, as well as cut all boards with a hand saw. Pretty crazy, brave and courageous! He was determined that's for certain, and grew to be a master carpenter. He helped many others build and remodel their homes. He added timber framing and straw bale building to his skill set and also built a beautiful wood sailing canoe with a bat wing sail. Clay published a book he wrote, The Hot-Walker Goes Off-Grid, which captures some of the humor he expressed in the world as well as retells some of his amazing carpentry feats.

A highly creative man, as a child in the kitchen he spent hours mixing ingredients he hoped would turn out to be better than "Dr. Pepper!" Once he carved a gigantic piece of wood to which he attached a length of rope and gave it to his sister for her birthday. Thankful for the thoughtfulness, she had to ask what it was - a planter! A hanging planter, if one could find a beam strong enough to support it!

This creativity continued through adulthood. He became an amazing carpenter of whimsical furniture and also large metal sculptures that can be found in gardens throughout the northwest. A true artist, he was constantly experimenting with all sorts of media and forms. He welded rebuses out of metal and added color using enamel, repurposed found objects, stretched the capabilities of wood with different stains and integrated it with metal. He made cabinet knobs, lights, and even sold cards painted with acrylic paint towards the end when he was having vision and balance challenges. He always encouraged people to escape mediocrity, and that art is not meant to match your couch. He sold many of his pieces and was even an award-winning artist (Best Creative Design in Idaho Chair Competition) and a featured artist at art galleries in Boise and Arizona. Clay would say, "Sometimes the wood takes complete control and I follow its direction but most of the time it's a happy mix between the two of us."

Clay was preceded in death by his parents, Clay G. Simons, Jr. and Margo Simons. He is survived by his daughter Amy Simons Gustafson and her husband, Eric, Spokane. His grandchildren, Grant and Hailey meant the world to him. He is also survived by his two sisters, Sue Wilson (Kurt) and Pam Rose, both Boise, as well as nephews Pete Wilson (Shiloah), Boise, Mark Wilson (Lea), Hamilton, MT, David Rose, Boise, and nieces, Rachael Rose Bennett (Dale), Nampa, Sarah Rose Bray (Bonnar), Boise, and Gloria Rose Duncan (Aaron), Boise, grand-nephews Wren, Jace, and Banks Wilson and grand-niece Finley Wilson and numerous cousins, Dave Norlen (Tracy), Paul Norlen, Doug Norlen, Karin Huls (Tom), Nancy (Mike), and Chuck, and amazing friends and mentors.

There will be no official service. A family and close friend celebration of his life will take place in October followed by the scattering of his cremains in the waters off the coast of Washington. He is missed by those who loved and appreciated him. If you'd like to donate to a cause that would touch Clay's heart, please consider the Idaho Humane Society. -- Happy Trails!