Jack Harward Clay Jr.

Jack Harward Clay Jr passed away Wednesday February 15th after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He grew up all over the country as well as Germany due to his father's military service. The family settled in Albany GA in the summer of 1972. Jack graduated from Westover High School in 1975, where he played and lettered in football and was on the track team. He attended Albany Junior College, and transitioned to the University of Georgia where he received a BA in History and Political Science in June of 1980. While attending school he was a member of the Bulldog Battalion where he earned a ROTC scholarship, was a distinguished military graduate, and received his commission as a regular U.S. Army Officer. As an active duty Infantry Officer he served in various units and positions from Platoon Leader to Company Commander, and Battalion and Brigade Staff. He later joined the Georgia Army National Guard serving as an Active Guard Reservist, and deployed as part of the NATO Peace Keeping Mission in Bosnia. He retired from the Guard at the rank of Major in 2003. He then attended Albany State University receiving a Masters degree in Education. Afterwards he worked for the Dougherty County School System (DCSS) teaching all aspects of High School Social Sciences. During his career with DCSS he taught at Dougherty High, Monroe High, South Georgia Regional Achievement Center, and Westover High. After retiring from teaching and still wanting to serve, he attended Darton Nursing School and became a Registered Nurse. He was employed by Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. He served in the CCU and Behavioral Health until he could no longer due to his illness.

Jack was involved in many community organizations including the executive board of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. dinner, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Temple B'nai Israel Where he served as President of the brotherhood and taught confirmation classes.

He was preceded in death by, his parents, Jack Harward Clay Sr. and Della Elizabeth Stanfill Clay.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Lizanne Wigzell Clay, daughter, Kelly Clay of Albany. Son, Noah Clay (Abbyanne) of Puyallup Washington, Sisters, Glenda (Ben) Green of Stone Mountain Georgia, Diane Melvin of Covington Georgia, Cindy Clay of Douglas Georgia, and Gloria (Cliff) Fussell of Douglas Georgia, two aunts, Tommie Indence of Thomasville Georgia, and Gail Stanfill of Albany Georgia, a nonbiological son Jacardus Parker of Alpharetta Georgia, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

There will be a visitation at Kimbrell Stern Funeral Home on Sunday February 19th from 5:30pm to 7pm. Funeral services will be at 11am Monday February 20th at Kimbrell Stern. Internment to follow at Riverside Cemetery Albany Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Temple B'nai Israel P.O. Box 71425 Albany Georgia 31708