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WARREN -- Cecil Jackson Clay, 81, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at 6:37 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at St. Joseph Warren Hospital.
Cecil was born May 8, 1944, in Soldier, Kentucky, the son of William and Stella Loomis Clay.
Cecil was a 1963 graduate of Niles McKinley High School and immediately entered the United States Marine Corps, where he achieved the rank of sergeant while honorably serving our country in the Vietnam War from 1963 to 1967. He earned the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
Cecil worked as a boilermaker for U.S. Steel Ohio Works in Youngstown, before retiring in 2006 as a millwright at the General Motors Fabrication Plant in Lordstown.
Cecil was a man of strong Christian faith, selflessly working his lifetime to be the difference for anyone in need of help, guidance, or a laugh. He actively volunteered in a leadership role for YMCA Indian Guides, Cub Scouts Troop 135, Boy Scouts Troop 35, youth sports; and enjoyed the outdoors, animals, reading, music, fishing and proving there was nothing considered broken that he could not fix. He was a man of incredible intellect who preferred few words to allow his actions to speak his wisdom and testimony. Cecil's greatest passion was mentoring, loving, and spending time with his sons, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, friends and family.
Cecil is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lois Ann Powell Clay, whom he married on March 9, 1968; sons, Allan D. (Laura) Clay and Lawrence "Larry" W. (Janie) Clay; loved like sons, Michael C. (Shelly) Powell and Tom Wayne Tomlin, who treated Cecil like a father; grandchildren, Trent (Lia) and Kylie (Evan) Lumbert; great-grandchildren, Caydence, Ethan and Genevieve; sisters, Lula (Luke) Foster and Liza Jane Clay; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who will all miss him dearly.
In addition to his parents, Cecil was preceded in death by five brothers, Eugene Leedy, Harold Clay, James Clay, Millard Clay and Joseph Clay; and sisters, Gladys Marie Clay Ramunno and Mary Clay Jackson.
Calling hours for family and friends will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home, 126 W. Park Ave., Niles, OH 44446.
The funeral service will begin at noon, followed by a brief chapel service at Pineview Cemetery, 4049 Youngstown Road SE, Warren, OH 44484.
Family and friends may visit holetonyuhasz.com to view this tribute and share condolences.
Cecil, a Vietnam veteran and dedicated leader, strongly advocated providing support to our soldiers and their families, with a commitment that no one fights alone. The Clay family requests that all material contributions be made in Cecil's name, to Semper Fi & America's Fund, https://thefund.org/donate/, to assist our veterans.
(special notice)