Millard “Clay”‘s Obituary M. Clay Orchard Jr. November 21, 1941 – January 16, 2019 Known to many by his childhood nickname Skip, M. Clay Orchard, Jr, 77, died on the 16th of January 2019 in his home in Garland, Texas. He was home with his wife of 52 years, Janet Lynn Stead Orchard after a long illness. His memorial service will be held Friday, January 25th at 3:30 pm at Williams Funeral Chapel.
Visitation with the family will begin at 2:30 the same day. Clay was born on the 21st of November 1941 at Henry County Hospital in New Castle, Indiana to M. Clay Orchard & Lorene Bryson Orchard. As a young man, he loved baseball and played the saxophone in the school band.
Later, he and his wife enjoyed square dancing and camping with the family. He was a graduate of United Electronics Technology of Louisville, KY and earned a BS in Business from the University of Louisville. In addition to being a member of the Motet Singers of Louisville, KY, Clay was a lifetime member of church choirs with the United Methodist Church.
His children and the youth he served remember countless hours mentoring, teaching and supporting the music and stage management for Chapel Singers & Sacred Dance at First United Methodist Church, Richardson; supporting Berkner High School Orchestras and Bands; coaching Girls Softball; and camping as a devoted Girl Scout Dad. He was also a lifetime member of the PTA and a HAM Radio Operator (KC5MXN) with Garland RACES and Dallas County RACES. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Dallas and has participated in the Emmaus Walk.
Clay is survived by his wife, Janet and his daughters, Eva Lorene Boy, Shannon Leigh Tovar and Holly Lynette Thomas and his sons-in-law Donald Villee Boy and Jacob Daniel Thomas and his seven grandchildren; Andrew Arthur Busby, David Clayton Busby, Hunter Daniel Thomas, Evelyn Jo Busby, Halle Patricia Tovar, Shayleigh Lynn Thomas, and Tyler Graham Thomas. He is also survived by his sister Carole Sue Longardner of Noblesville, IN, brothers-in-law Arthur James Stead of Louisville, KY and John David Stead of Milton, FL, as well as, numerous nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Clay will be also be missed by his dog, Pasche and the cat, Moose.
He was preceded in death by his parents, M. Clay Orchard & Lorene Bryson Orchard, brothers-in-law Dr. Kenneth Alva Stead Jr and Dr. Richard Longardner, as well as, son-in-law, Anthony Lara Tovar Jr. Clay’s favorite Bible verse is John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever shall believe in Him will have everlasting life”. He is remembered for singing the Comfort Ye, My People from Handle’s Messiah (Isaiah 40) Flowers can be sent to Williams Funeral Directors at 1600 S Garland Rd, Garland, TX 75040. Donations can be made to the music and arts department at First United Methodist Church, Dallas.
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