Clayton Peeples

Clayton "Clay" Kerlin Peeples of Houston, Texas, was experiencing heaven on earth, attending a Shane Smith & the Saints concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater with his family on Tuesday, May 6. In God's time, Clay left this earth swiftly and without suffering, eager to see one of his favorite bands play. Anyone who knew Clay can attest he filled this earth with joy, laughter, and love, and will be dearly missed.

Clay was born on January 6, 1955, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Eugene Murrell Peeples III and Patricia Kerlin Peeples. His early childhood years followed his father's oil patch career through Abilene, Amarillo, Kingsville, then Corpus Christi, where he lived from elementary school through college. Clay graduated from Richard King High School in 1973 and then attended the University of Texas, where he was a proud member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and graduated in 1977 with a business degree in Finance. He spent several years in Beaumont and Houston in industrial sales before he started his career in commercial real estate.

The Houston real estate firm of Laguarta, Gavrel & Kirk was the launching pad for his real estate career, where he endured a love/hate relationship with "cold-calling." As a tenacious and determined trainee, Clay honed his craft as a productive broker. He joined Boyd Page & Associates in 1988, eventually becoming a Principal of Boyd Commercial, where his successful career spanned over 37 years. Clay was a consistent Heavy Hitter at Boyd and was the firm's top producer on multiple occasions, also serving as a role model and mentor for many young brokers. He was an active member of SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Brokers) and served as president of its local chapter in 1997. Clay also embraced the firm's membership in CORFAC International, an industry network of independent brokerages located across the country, frequently traveling long distances to build lasting relationships with brokers in far-away markets. Clay led with his honesty, integrity, and humor, consistently creating win-win deals-traits that were exemplified in his personal life, as well.

Clay was full of life and deeply loved his family, enthusiastically supporting his children in everything they did. Clay's expansive network of loyal friends crossed country club, work, fraternity, and high school boundaries. He was a passionate golfer with six holes-in-one, an enthusiastic guitarist, and a devoted music fan. He enjoyed his second home, Houston Country Club, where he and Kay established many lifelong relationships. Clay enjoyed all his regular golf buddies and lunch group. He especially valued his 48-year tradition with the "Mag 7 Guys Hunting Group," sharing stories, laughter, and camaraderie in the Texas Hill Country. He was quick to reference the "whole story" to new and old friends with pride and intensity that only he could uniquely dignify.

Clay had an infectious personality and a laugh to match that few possess. Clay was affable, kind, and humble, but was never shy about expressing his strong opinions or shocking his friends and family with sometimes colorful comments or stories-many that have become "Clay-isms" that will live on in perpetuity. A man of deep, quiet faith, Clay attended evening Mass regularly, which freed up weekend mornings to spend in what he affectionately referred to as "The Tabernacle of the Bright Blue Sky," i.e., the golf course.

Clay is survived by his wife, Kay Overly Peeples; their adult children, Clayton Kerlin Peeples, Jr., and Paige Murrell Peeples; his brother, Eugene Murrell Peeples IV; and many in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is reunited in heaven with his parents, Eugene M. Peeples III and Patricia Kerlin Peeples.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, located at 1801 Sage Rd., Houston, TX 77056. A celebration of life will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. that afternoon in the ballroom of Houston Country Club, located at One Potomac Drive, Houston, TX 77057. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Clay's honor to either the Houston Country Club Employee Scholarship Fund (at the address above) or The Rise School (5618 H Mark Crosswell, Jr. St., Houston, TX 77021).