Clay Michael Zlatnik

Clay Michael Zlatnik, 70, passed away at home in Kennewick, Washington on August 2, 2024, following extensive treatment for throat cancer. Clay, the oldest of 3 children, was born on January 16, 1954, in Riverton, Wyoming. His parents were Anton Joseph and Dorothy Annie (Taylor) Zlatnik. The family later settled in the small town of Gooding, Idaho. Throughout his childhood, Clay enjoyed fishing and hunting with his dad, camping, swimming and Boy Scouts. All the siblings took years of piano lessons where Clay possessed the most natural talent of the 3, but the most dislike for practicing. Starting out as a newspaper carrier, he had many jobs growing up including working in a pizza place and moving irrigation pipe.
After graduating from Gooding High School, Clay's love of music led him to completing an associate's degree in the Arts at College of Southern Idaho. Over the years he learned to play and repair many instruments, ranging from the French horn to the didgeridoo. In 1977 he joined the Navy and trained as a nuclear submariner. Honorably discharged in 1979, he returned to Idaho to work at a geothermal plant in Malta, Idaho. In 1982 he moved to work at a nuclear power plant in Richland, Washington for Energy Northwest. As a single dad, Clay joined Parents Without Partners, where he met the love of his life Ruth. Ironically, they had to leave PWP as they no longer qualified.
In 2012 Clay retired from his career as a Control Room Supervisor. That's when the fun began. He volunteered every week with Team Read at Vista Elementary. Clay loved finding ways to motivate his students and watching them become confident readers. He also took joy in sharing his musical talents. He played French horn with the local symphony, as well as teaching some of his grandchildren to play oboe, clarinet and other instruments. When Clay and Ruth adopted their little dog Maggie, she became his inseparable sidekick, sharing countless adventures and walks on the beach. In recent years, he cultivated his passion for plants, acquiring his Master Gardener status. He especially enjoyed sharing his knowledge with friends and the community.
Clay was a soft-spoken man, a gentle soul, who listened more than he talked. He could see the humor in many situations and would laugh with you without laughing at you. He left us far too soon. He fought courageously to beat cancer and stay with his dear Ruth and family but succumbed to complications.
Clay is survived by his wife Ruth, sons Michael Cooper of Arco, ID, and Jeremy (Christina) Zlatnik of Kennewick; daughter Amanda Zlatnik (Laura) of Tacoma; step-daughters Crystal (Aaron) Dunnum of Kennewick; Kelly Fordham (Justin) of Spokane; sister Carol (Renn) Christensen of Shelley, ID; brother Clint (Vickie) of Philomath, OR; and numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Memorial Services will be Sunday, August 11th at 10am at Hillcrest Funeral Home, 9353 W. Clearwater Avenue, Kennewick. Reception will follow at 91703 E. Chelsea Road, Kennewick.
.