Lonnie H. Clay

Lonnie Herbert Clay, 87, of Okeechobee, Florida passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at Hamrick Home in Okeechobee.

He leaves behind his high school sweetheart, Mary "Bunnie" Clay; brothers, George Clay and Thomas Lynn Clay; sister, Rachel Clay; four children, Kathi Gammill (Ricky), Frances Epperson (Kent), Macie Seaton (Lyle), and Lonnie Clay, Jr. (Sherri); grandchildren, Todd Palmer, Stacy Mendoza, Cameron Argudin, Stephanie Seaton, Chynna Ward, Annalyn Clay, and Myla Clay; and beloved great grandchildren.

Lonnie was born on July 27, 1938 in the mountains of Wayne County, West Virginia to Macie and Earl Clay. He moved to Okeechobee, Florida when he was 5 years old with his family who were looking for work. He grew up gator hunting and fishing throughout the woods and shores of Okeechobee County. In High School he began two things that changed his life. He gained experience working with cattle at the Okeechobee Livestock Market and met his future wife Mary sitting in Biology Class. On Mary's 16th birthday she told Lonnie, "I'm 16 today and never been kissed". They became inseparable during their High School Senior trip to Washington DC and New York. They married the following year on August 11, 1960.

During the next several years Lonnie and Mary raised three girls taking jobs as a pole climber for the power company and insurance salesman before eventually settling into being a full-time rancher taking over the property of Mary's late mom and dad with the brand C2. Over the next 19 years and more they raised three girls, herds of cattle, horses on the now Clay Homestead before they had a son in 1979. They started over again raising their son before grandchildren and then great grandchildren that Lonnie cherished and enjoyed every chance he had.

Lonnie is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Macie Clay; sisters; Evelyn (Frady) Clay, Barbara (Malden) Clay, and Vivian Clay; and brother, Norman Clay.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com

All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, 34972.