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Clay M. Ross, 90, born Monday, September 29, 1913 in Monticello, AR, died Monday, August 30, 2004 at his home in Albuquerque, NM surrounded by his family. Clay was the third of five children of Walker Clay and Ethel Thomas Ross. After graduation from the University of Arkansas in 1937, he received a Masters Degree from the University of Virginia in 1939. Clay proudly served in the United States Navy during WW II aboard the battleship USS North Carolina, participating in eleven major Pacific Campaigns. He was recalled to Washington, DC during the Korean War and left the service in 1956 as a Commander. Clay was instrumental in creating the Naval Reserve in Oklahoma City, OK. After 30 years of services in various locations and positions, Clay retired from Sears Roebuck and Company as Group Manager, Kansas City in 1977. Returning to Albuquerque with his wife, Kathryn "Kit", Clay joined the staff of Berger Briggs where he worked until has passing. >From early childhood he was an active and dedicated member of several Presbyterian Churches, serving as both Deacon and Elder. In addition to his extensive church work, Clay was a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, A Rotarian "Fellow", a member of the Albuquerque Country Club and was associated with numerous other Organization and Boards. Clay is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Kathryn "Kit"; daughters Amy McGhie Ross of Albuquerque and Gretchen Ross Odum and husband, Marvin Odum, of Houston, TX; grandchildren Debbie Odum Hutchinson and husband, Joe, of College Station, TX, Marvin Odum III and wife, Mariloli, of London, England, Brian Odum and wife, Suzanne, and Marcus Odum and wife, Michelle, all of Houston, TX; seven great grandchildren, Lauren, Marvin IV, Taylor, Alexandra, Madison, Hayes and Morgan; brother Lamar Ross and wife, Erma, of Monticello AR; sister Helen Stuckey of Monticello, AR; brother, William Fay Ross and wife, Joy, of Okalahoma City, OK; sister-in-law Lexie Triesch of Long Beach, CA and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Clay was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mairee Staggs of Beebe, AR. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family on Monday, September 6, 2004 from 5:00 until 7:00 pm at French Mortuary, 1111 University Blvd. NE in Albuquerque. The funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 am on Tuesday, September 7, 2004, in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 215 Locust NE, Albuquerque, NM. Honored to serve as active pallbearers are Clay's grandsons, Marvin Odum III, Brian Odum and Marcus Odum; his brother, William Fay Ross and close friends Albert Arrigoni and Richard Bluestein. Honoring Clay as Honorary Pallbearers are Admiral John Kirkpatrick, Lamar Ross, Ernest Montgomery, Rosanna Torrez, Dr. Hunt Burress, Doyce Leach, Debbie Odum, Rosemary Hulbert, Roy Dye, Ace Evangelisti, Curtis Brewer, Dr. Joe Rhoades, Jim Ellis and Maurice McKeoun. In Lieu of flowers, if desired, memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army, PO Drawer 27690, Albuquerque, NM 87125, to Presbyterian Hospice, 8100 Constitution Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 or to First Presbyterian Church, 215 Locust NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102. The family extends special thanks to Premier Healthcare and Presbyterian Hospice for all their loving care. " A father's legacy is not riches, possessions or worldly goods of any kind; it is the way he lived, the lives he touched, the promises he kept. It is the kind of man he was." Author Unknown. French Mortuary, Inc. 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333
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