Walter E. Clay
May 3, 2013
Resided in:
Charlotte, NC
Walter E. Clay, 89, passed away May 3, 2013, in Charlotte, N.C. Preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Rosemary Clay. Survived by children, Ric Clay, DeLayne Clay, Fred (Stephanie) Clay and Mardi (Rick) Clay-Mutz; grandchildren, Robyn, Clay, Megan, Zack, Danielle and Ki; seven great-grandchildren, Madeline, Logan, Ella, Sadie, Leigh, Ethan and Kyran. Walter was a teacher and coach at District 60 and was a sports official. Memorial service, 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2013, First United Methodist Church, 11th and Court, Pueblo. Memorials may be made to Pueblo Runyon Sportsfield Association or the charity of your choice through the funeral home. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com
Goodbye for Now Walt,……The paragraph in the Chicago sports page of September 1946 made for interesting reading: “The Rockets have a dream backfield and one nightmare.” The Chicago Rockets were beginning play in the fledging professional All-America League. Their backfield starters were quarterback Bob “Hunchy” Hornchmeyer, Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch at left halfback and Bill Daly at fullback. They were a dream, or so the writer felt.
The nightmare was Rocket’s right halfback Walt Clay, a 6-foot-1, 228-pound ex-Marine who led Longmont High School to a state football co-championship in 1940 and, as a freshman, was a first-team All-Big Seven fullback at the University of Colorado in 1942. “Clay is a bulldozer with forward gear only,” the story went on to add. “A man with a passion for collision.”
“Walt Clay is the toughest s.o.b. I ever saw,” says former coach, official and current radio talk personality Irv Brown.
Clay cemented his place in Colorado sports history as a junior fullback at Longmont. In the 1940 state championship, he played despite a separated shoulder, which was taped down with a horse harness. Yet, when Grand Junction led 6-0 with time running out, and Longmont with a first-and-goal at the 3-yard line, Clay got the call. He rammed over the right guard, carrying two tacklers over the goal line to tie the score. A nightmare indeed.
Born in the Shamrock Coal Mining Camp just outside Erie, Colorado, Clay was the seventh of nine children. The family moved to Longmont just as he entered grade school.
Clay was an all-state pick in football and basketball. He not only was a brilliant and punishing football collegiate fullback and defensive back, he also played guard for the AAU Denver American Legion basketball team, which lost in the 1943 national finals to the Phillips 66ers.
He cut short his college football career to join the Marines in 1943. After the service, Clay rampaged in Chicago and Los Angeles of the AAFL before the league folded in 1949.
Clay went back to coach at CU where he received his degree in 1951. From there, it was off to Pueblo as basketball and football coach at Centennial High School. After a nine-year stint on the sidelines for the Bulldogs, Clay took to officiating. He was an official in basketball and wrestling for 28 years, football for 25 and baseball and softball for 20.
Walt Clay was about the best thing ever to come out of pueblo. a long time gym teacher, mr clay was my gym teacher at heaton middle school in the late 1970s. mr clay was a jock himself so he favored the athletes and me and my brothers so enjoyed clay’s tutelage and good sports minded spirit. i have become a basketball official and i owe the desire to do that to mr clay. he officiated almost every sport. he was a true inspiration.
May I offer my sincere condolences to you on the death of Walt. May your hearts find comfort in God’s Word where he states: He (God) will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God shall wipe away tears from off all faces. (Isaiah 25:8) May your loved one awaken to a world where there will be peace (John 5:28,29; Psalm 37:11) no sickness (Isaiah 33:24) and no more troubles (Revelation 21:4) throughout eternity (Psalm 37:29). May your hearts find comfort and hope in God’s Word for all that he has said will surely come to pass. (Titus 1:2) My deepest sympathy to you.
I was just informed down here in Arizona of Walt’s passing. I enjoyed visiting with Walt over the years. Had so much respect for him. I always thought he would live on forever. What a great loss.
Coach Tom Brockman
My condolences to the family of Walt Clay. What a wonderful person who had many friends in Pueblo. A man whose voice shall not be forgotten. I wish that many people who knew of him had an opportunity to talk with him. A great conversationalist and very witty man, especially about his professional past and experiences. You will be missed Sir Walter of Clay with a smile and a good heart.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sorry for your loss.
Scott and Dianna Fonda
Back when physical discipline was acceptable, Walt was my
Football Coach and Gym Teacher … 1968-69 School Year at
Heaton Jr High School … In Gym Class we lined up in three
rolls, military style, alphabetically for roll call … Last roll was
Alan Watts, Ronnie Wong, and me Jeff Wuertele … Roll was
called by last name … One day a fellow student in front of me
glanced over his shoulder, looking at me, said ” Watts Wong
Wuertele ” … I began to snicker … Walt left his position grabbing
me by the ear with his stubby fingered hand demanding to know
what was so funny … When he stopped shaking my head I told
him what had happened … He laughed loudly and returned to his
position to lead the class … Walt was a tough and strong man
with a big heart … He had lots of compassion for those who gave
it their all … Thanks Walt you taught me respect … Jeff Wuertele
Walt was a great guy, I always enjoyed seeing him. He was one of the people who made Pueblo a great place to grow up. Mike Stanton
I hope ya’ll received my message, Rick Roblek
Besides being my gym teacher at Heaton in the 1970’s, Mr. Clay was also my dad’s football coach at Centennial in 1956-58 (pictured is Walt Clay and all-state football player Walt Pickerel in 1958.)