Kenneth “Pete” Clay of Hysham went to sleep on September 3, 2015. He was born on April 24, 1933 to James M. and Cleo G. (Provines) Clay. He was the 6th of 7 children. Pete was raised on a farm in Roger Mills County in western Oklahoma, a few miles from the small town of Reydon.
He attended school for the first 6 years in a country school (Midway) of 8 grades, and then the school was closed. He received the last 6 years of education in Reydon and graduated in 1951.
He worked on the family farm with his father and brother through 1951, then went to Wyoming and began working on a ranch in January of 1952.
Pete was drafted into the Army in April of 1953. He received his Honorable Discharge after being in the inactive reserves for 6 years.
On June 5, 1954 he married Marilyn J. Buell of Hilton, New York. They started out as pen pals when Marilyn saw his ad in the Western Horseman magazine in December of 1951. Things blossomed from there!
After being released from the Army, they worked on various ranches in Wyoming. In 1960 they moved to Minnesota where he bought two small places that joined and called it “Need More Ranch.” He started raising cattle, even while working at another job. After several years came a misfortune with the cattle along with long severe winters he made a decision to move back out west.
They lived on several Ranch Camps in Montana, and then retired from ranch work in 1998. They bought a home in Hysham, MT and he worked part-time in the area.
He contracted West Nile Virus in 2003 which left him partially handicapped.
Kenneth (Pete) is preceded in death by his father, mother, and only brother. He is survived by his Wife Marilyn; 3 children: Jon R (Beth) Clay, Callie A (Steve) Randall, and Jess W. Clay; five sisters: Bula May Sides, Gertrude L. Flesher, Velma Dean Robison, Hester V. Millemon and Mildred F. (Donovan) Harrison; six grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
His final resting place will be in the Ranchers Cemetery West of Myers, MT.
Pete will be waiting for his resurrection at the second coming of our Christ Jesus.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Tuesday September 8, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Reception
12:00 PM
Tuesday September 8, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Graveside Service
2:00 PM
Tuesday September 8, 2015
Ranchers Cemetery
Meyers Road
Hysham, MT 59038
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Tuesday September 8, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Reception
12:00 PM
Tuesday September 8, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Graveside Service
2:00 PM
Tuesday September 8, 2015
Ranchers Cemetery
Meyers Road
Hysham, MT 59038
Debbie Anderson says
Marilyn, I am so very sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. He was such a kind gentleman and I know he is in Paradise with our Savior with a brand new body & no pain. He is waiting for you there. You are in my thoughts and prayers & if you have need of anything, please let me know. I will be happy to help you with anything I can. Praying for you.
George and Ina Haines says
Dear Marilyn and family, We were, at the Senior Supper last night, and shared some of our memories of Pete. What a gentleman he was and he had such a courageous spirit. It was my pleasure to watch him as he progressed through life after the illness visited his life. With love and hugs for each of you, may your memories always be an uplifting part of your life. God’s blessings on your lives.
Most sincerely, George and Ina Haines
Karen Witt says
Dear Marilyn and Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will always remember the good times we had here when you were our neighbors. I bet Kenneth and Dave are up there catching up on all news about the weather and the cattle business. With Deepest Sympathy, Karen and Family
Laurie & Billy Willems says
Marilyn & Jessie, We were so sorry to here about Pete. What a wonderful man he was & a true friend to so many people. He had a heart of gold & the kindness that I wish so many more people had. We were Blessed to of had him in our lives. We thought of you both often the past several years especially after the West Nile illness that both he & Billy had. We all sure had a lot of conversations about that didn’t we? He was a fighter that’s for sure & someone that all of us could look up to. He’s free from pain & riding his horses once again. We are here for you. Let us know if we can help. Praying for all whose lives he touched. So sorry.
Genia Burchfield - Holloway says
Dear Marilyn, Jess and Family;
I am so truly sorry to hear of Ken’s passing, but he is in a beautiful place with no pain, doing all the things he loved to do. I will never forget the kindness you and Ken showed me. You were the first people to teach me that all families are not the same…and you showed me love as if I were your own child. Jess, thank you for all the updates and phone calls. I am here for you both to chat anytime day or night. My prayers are with you always.
Genia Burchfield 903-801-0796
Teri Patterson says
Callie, Marilyn & Jess: I am deeply saddened by your loss. I loved “Dad” very much. I think of you all often. I will pray for strength for all of you at this sorrowful time.
Skip and Pam White says
Marilyn and Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. We enjoyed so much knowing Pete and were inspired by his courage and determination. We will miss him as a friend and neighbor. We know has found peace.
Pastor Daniel Nelson says
Dear Marilyn,
I really admired Pete’s strength and courage during his trials of pain and suffering. He was a faithful man of God and I can’t wait to see him again in the Resurrection in which he had hope in. May God bless you and your family with His loving arms and comfort.
Mary Gearhart Hurr says
Marilyn, Jess and family;
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Pete. He was such an amazing man and fun to be around. He was such a man with strong faith that the lord has now taken him in his home. God bless all of you and you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Triena warfield says
I am so sorry to hear about Ken’s passing. We had some good times together. He was a great guy.
Nell O'Connor Phipps says
Dear Marilyn and family,
Thinking of you, been wanting to come see you for ages, sorry to hear about Kenneth
passing. I often think of the fun times we had when you all was at Browns, times have sure changed things. If and when I get healed up I am going to try to make it over to see you.
Nell
Vickie (Pilgrim) Butterfield says
Mrs. Clay, Jon, Jess, and Callie,
I am sorry for your loss. I know Mr. Clay will be sorely missed by all who knew him but more so from those closest to him. All of you. I rejoice with you in that he has made it home to be with Jesus. All of our ultimate goals.
What I remember about Mr. Clay is he was always a man on a mission. Always busy doing something around the ranch. I don’t remember ever seeing him sit down. I’ll never forget the time that I had dinner at your house, and I had Rocky Mountain Oysters for the first (and last) time. That branding season was a fun learning experience….. 🙂 One that I’ve never forgotten, can still visualize, and have shared with all my kids and grandkids. How funny that Callie and I started out as pen pals too.
May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you. May He grant peace upon your hearts as you grieve your loss.
Vickie