Ronald (Ron) Clay passed away peacefully on January 7, 2010, at The Kavanugh House on 56th Street in Des Moines, IA, with his loving wife, Gerrie, by his side.

Ron was born June 20, 1934, to Francis and Hulda Clay in Warrens, Wisconsin.  Ron was raised in the Warrens area by his grandparents Robert and Grace Hoffman.  It was in Warrens where Ron attended grade school and made many life long friends who he kept in touch with his entire life.  Ron graduated from the Tomah High School in 1952.

On June 10, 1956, Ron married Gerrie Honel in Tomah, WI.  They were married for over 53 years and added to their union 3 daughters, 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, all of whom enriched his life with much love and happiness.

Ron was a member of the US Army and served in Korea.  He was honorably discharged from the service in 1962.  He and his wife then lived in Tomah, and Ron worked for the Rezin Construction Company.   Later, he joined the Milwaukee Railroad and was transferred to Perry, IA, where he worked as a heavy equipment supervisor. Ron retired from the railroad in June of 1996.

Ron’s greatest enjoyment was his family.  He and Gerrie spent many weekends watching their daughters play softball and basketball.  Ron traveled during the week while working for the railroad, and if there was a ball game played within a 50 mile radius he would get to the game to cheer his girls on.  His love and support helped them become the fine women they are today. They have been able to pass this love on to their own children.  Ron has 10 wonderful grandchildren who were so special to him; all unique and special in their own way.  They will always remember their grandpa being at all of their games, recitals, programs and special accomplishments and always being so proud of all of them.  Ron also had the joy of watching the next generation of his family begin as he had 3 great-grandchildren.

Ron also found enjoyment in gardening, fishing, hunting, doing carpentry, watching the Hawkeye and Cyclone football teams, as well as his beloved Green Bay Packers, and of course going to the many casinos with Gerrie.

Ron is preceded in death by a grandson, Jared Smith, his father  Francis Lyle Clay and mother Hulda Wildes, in-Laws Carl and Charlotte Honel and step-father Herbert Wildes.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, Gerrie, his daughters Deborah (Carl) Smith of Des Moines, Pamela (Randy) Ballard of Perry, and Mishelle (Brad) Johnson of Johnston. Ten grandchildren Jacob, Jennifer, Kristin “Buzzard”, and Karmin Ballard, Juli, Kyle, and Matthew Smith, and Kellen, Bryce and Mryn Johnson.  Three great-grandchildren Chloe, Issac and Elias Ballard (Children of Jacob and Shannon Ballard).

Ron is also survived by a brother Fran (Ellen) Clay of  Kingman, AZ. He is also survived by a half-sister, Lois (Jack) Pierce, two half-brothers, Loren (Vicki) Wildes and Lee (Linda) Wildes, brother-in-law Bob Honel, all of the Tomah area. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Carris Funeral home in Perry, IA, on Monday, January 11^th, from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at Mt Olivet Lutheran Church on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.  Burial will follow at the Violet Hill Cemetery, where military rites will be provided.

If we could ask Ron (Dad) one more time how he was feeling right now, today, he would say to us “BEAUTIFUL”

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