Clay Campbell, 77, of Sedalia, departed this life on Tuesday, December 7.
He was born July 12, 1944 in Fayette, MO, son of Harry Louis Campbell and Fay Leach Martin. On July 19, 2003, he married Gretchen Elsberry, who survives of the home.
Clay was raised in Fayette, MO, where his love for farm life was inspired by his grandfather. Clay graduated from Smith Cotton in 1962 and honorably served in the US Navy for four years as a radar man aboard the USS Henderson (DD-785) and the USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5) during the Vietnam War. He returned home and completed a BS in Business Marketing from UCM. During his career, he was an owner of businesses which specialized in constructing grain bins, fencing, and hog confinements. Later, he worked for and retired from the Corps of Engineers in Warsaw, MO.
Clay was a life-long member of First Christian Church, Sedalia, MO where he was instrumental in starting the bus ministry and worked on the property team. Clay’s Christian faith and pride for his country were significant parts of his life. Clay was an avid outdoorsman and shared his love of nature with his friends and family. He was known for his generous spirit, typically shown through his love of cooking for others. He was most proud of his large, loving family and the time he spent with them.
Clay is also survived by a sister, Laura Martin of Springfield, MO; two sons, Dac Campbell (Erica) of Webb City, MO and Matt Brosch (Amanda) of Sedalia, MO; three daughters, Clarissa Brittain (Chuck) of Springfield, MO, Kathy Nicodemus (Sean) of Joplin, MO and Allison Brosch (Jeremy) of Sedalia, MO; his grandchildren, Corey Irwin (Shelby), Drew Irwin (Sarah), Allison Chamberlin (Michael), Deidre Bradshaw (Ben), Michael Brittain (Emily), Samantha Gomez (Oswaldo), Oliver Campbell, Braxton, Ruby and Klara Poort, Wyatt, Alayna, and Adley Brosch; his great-grandchildren, Brighton and Brooks Irwin, John and Jude Irwin, Ava Chamberlin, Evangeline, Rian and Romilly Bradshaw; and very special friends, Bill Curry and Judy Parkhurst.
He was preceded in death by his father Harry Campbell; his mother and stepfather, Fay and Dave Martin; his stepmother, Betty Campbell; his daughter, Mary Catherine; and his two grandsons, Kipp Shelley and Spencer Nicodemus.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 11, at First Christian Church with the Rev. Dr. Chad McMullin officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield. The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. Masking is encouraged. The service can be viewed live on First4God.com. The family requests memorial donations be made to the First Christian Church Building Fund, 200 South Limit Avenue, Sedalia, MO 65301. Arrangements are under the direction of McLaughlin Funeral Chapel.