Clay "Clay" Everhard

WACO - Clay Everhard, formerly of McAllen, passed away February 17, 2026 in Waco, TX at the age of 90. Clay was born May 24,1935 in Mercedes, TX, to Floyd C. Everhard and Lois L. Everhard. He attended PSJA public schools, graduating in 1953, then pursued a BBA at the University of Texas-Austin through 1958. In 1959, Clay joined the Texas Air National Guard in Houston and remained in that service for six years, attaining a rank of Staff Sergeant.

After his service, Clay joined the family citrus business which included his grandfather, Clay Everhard, and his father, Floyd. They operated citrus holdings in Cameron, Hidalgo, and Dimmit counties and were involved in both growing and shipping citrus fruit. Clay also assumed the management of the company's citrus tree production and planting service. The nursery company established orchards all over south Texas and sold to wholesalers locally and in Laredo, San Antonio, and Houston.

Clay was active in Valley citrus organizations over the years. He was Vice President, President, and Author T. Potts Award winner of the RGV Horticulture Society. He was Vice President, two-term President, and Special Award winner of Texas Citrus Mutual- both his father and grandfather before him were recipients of the TCM Special Award. Clay also managed the crop insurance arm of TCM for several years.

Clay was a member and alternate of the Texas Valley Citrus Committee for over 20 years and served as Chairman for three terms. He was a member for many years and chairman from 1996 to 1999 of the Texas A&M-Kingsville Citrus Advisory Committee and was selected for the Fort Worth Star Telegram Farm and Ranch Award in 1994.

As much of his business was centered around Mission, TX, Clay became a member of the Mission Rotary Club in 1986 and served as President in 2001-2002, obtaining four Paul Harris Awards. In that same year, Clay was selected to be the Texas Citrus Fiesta King and was the treasurer of that organization for many years. After moving to Waco, to be near his daughters, Clay became involved with the Waco Rotary Club.

In his spare time, Clay was a passionate hunter, photographer, enjoyed Corvette club, and RV travel around the country.

Clay and Shirley Rindfuss, his wife of 65 years, were married in 1960 and lived in McAllen, where their three daughters were born.

Clay is survived by his wife, Shirley of Waco, TX; daughters: Lisa & Dr. Timothy Schiller of West, TX, Vicki & Rad (Marine Corps Major, Ret) Hastings of Ft. Worth, Lori & Bryan Luedecke of Edna, TX; Grandchildren: Kamrynn Schiller of Dubai, UAE, Kristynn Schiller of Waco, Clay Hastings of Ft. Worth, Reid Luedecke of Austin, Reagan Luedecke of Texas City, and Ryland Luedecke of Edna; Great-grandson, Roman Hayes Claunch; Brothers, Kenneth Everhard of McAllen and Brian Everhard of Spring Branch: several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Lois (Lowrie) Everhard.

A private family service will be held at a later date to honor Clay's life and legacy.