H. Clayton “Clay” Smith died on Thursday, Dec. 15, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett.

Clay was born and raised in Midvale, Utah. After graduating from the University of Utah, Clay fought in Vietnam as a tank commander with the Army. He fought bravely and was seriously wounded when his tank was attacked while patrolling the Ho Chi Minh trail and received the Purple Heart upon his return.

Clay had an impressive professional career working for several well-known companies and establishing himself as a successful national sales manager while living in California. But he was an entrepreneur at heart and started his own business that he grew over the years into a very successful enterprise. Even today, his business is still going.

Meanwhile, he moved to St. Louis and met Suzy Mueller. They married there in 1974 and lived very happily together. Their daughter Sarah was born there and loved hanging out with her Dad, especially at the zoo. Clay, Suzy and Sarah moved to the Seattle area and then on to Coupeville. Sadly, Suzy was taken from them too soon. She passed away in 2009.

A few years later, Clay met Gayle Smith and they formed a loving relationship and built a life together. Gayle brought joy and laughter into Clay’s life when he needed it most. They shared many close friends on Whidbey Island. They celebrated Clay’s life at a gathering for friends and family on Dec. 18.

Sarah married Mike Brandstetter and they have three beautiful children, Evelyn, Sam, and baby Gabriel, who loved their grandpa “Ace” very much. They live in San Francisco. On Clay’s last visit, he took Evelyn fishing and she caught her first fish. She has Ace’s knack for the sport.

Clay is also survived by his sister Betty Jean (Larry) Holmberg; sister Beverly (Kirby) Caywood and their children Robyn (Jared) Copinga, Jason (Melissa) Caywood and Steven (Angela) Caywood; and Beverly’s grandchildren Aidan, Ella and Lily Copinga as well as Roman, Ava, Norah and baby Cecilia Caywood — they will all miss him dearly.

Suzy’s sister, Mary (Jim) Hart was a close friend of Clay’s and could always make him laugh. He was “Unc” to Jim and Mary’s three children Brad (Holly) Hart, Suzy Hart (Paul Pedlar) and Katie (Chris) Stairs.

He was a friend and role model to his extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews. Clay was fun-loving and loyal to his many dear friends. He was strong, smart, funny and worked hard all his life. One of a kind!