Clay passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, to be with his Lord on June 27, 2018. He was an active member of Sardis Presbyterian Church for 53 years serving in many areas. Clay was born in Clarksville, TN, September 17, 1930, to loving parents, Francis and SB Thomas.
He grew up in Guthrie, KY where he was “kin” to almost everyone. He attended Clarksville High School where he made lifelong friends. At this time Clay was studying piano in Nashville, but gave this up to play… Read More » football for CHS.
Graduating from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Clay received a BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. As a freshman he met his future beloved wife, Mary Ellen Robison.
They were married in Gallatin, TN on December 23, 1952. At graduation Clay received his diploma and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force, serving one year in Korea. In 1955, Clay began his career as a sales engineer with Worthington Corporation in Atlanta, GA.
After living there for 9 years Clay was transferred to Charlotte as manager of the Carolinas for Worthington. In 1969, Clay became co-owner and president of his own company, Polytech Services, Inc., where he served for 26 years. Clay was the consummate salesman.
His customers knew they would be treated in an honest, caring way. They remained friends decades after his retirement. In all areas of his life he nurtured friendships, from his church family and men’s Sunday School class at Sardis, to the neighborhood, to hunting, to antique cars and UT football.
Close friendships were a theme throughout his life. Family was first with Clay. Each summer the clan would gather for a week at the beach.
At retirement, Clay and Mary Ellen built a home in the mountains where everyone could be together for Christmas and the holidays. We will cherish our memories forever. Clay was predeceased by his son, Clay Bryan Thomas, and his son-in-law, Robert Tillman Wallace.
Surviving are his beloved wife of 65 years, Mary Ellen Robison Thomas, his daughters Leslie Thomas Currin (Ted) of Stoneville, NC and Polly Thomas Crowder (Mark) of Johnson City, TN, daughter-in-law Bess Roberts Thomas of Columbia, SC, grandchildren Joe Currin, Mary Hannah Currin, Daniel Crowder, Thomas Crowder (Elizabeth), Abigail Thomas and Victoria Thomas, brother Stan Thomas (Gale), sister Fran Dennison, nieces and nephews. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Clay Thomas will be held at Sardis Presbyterian Church at 2PM on Saturday, July 7, 2018, family will receive friends after the service. A private burial will occur before the service.
Memorials may be sent to the Clay Bryan Thomas ’87 Memorial Scholarship Endowment Clemson University Foundation, PO Box 1889, Clemson, SC 29633 864-656-5896, Sardis Presbyterian Church, 6100 Sardis Rd. , Charlotte, NC 28270 or Community Hospice, www.communityhch.com. A special thanks to Lee, Tanya and Tunishia for their loving care.
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