Clay Ridley

Born to Freddy and Betty Ann Ridley of Oklahoma City, Clay was the youngest of three children, brother Allen, sister Drue. He started numerous businesses, patented several inventions, and was the ideal example of a father and husband.

Throughout his numerous and passionate endeavors, his family remained a constant focus. Always present and ready for his family. He met his wife Jonnie while working in the generational family business at the Oklahoma National Stockyards alongside his father and brother. They were married in 1976 and raised their four children: Valerie, Jay (Christi), John and Andy (Beth Ann). He was adored by his six grandchildren (Jake (Abby), Carson, Coleman, Madeleine, Ruby and Betty) whom he loved dearly. Clay's business adventures took his family around the country with many memorable experiences that led to a truly unique life story and will be treasured forever.

Clay was incredibly creative, inventive and quick witted with a willingness to help others. On his twelfth birthday, Clay's parents gave him a welder that began his journey in fabrication. He built a car by the age of 14 while attending Harding Junior High, with an MGA body and a 427ci motor. Later at John Marshall High School (1970), he was prolific in creating and modifying cars. The businesses Clay founded began by welding and fabricating, turning an idea into reality. In 1978, Clay built a Scorpion helicopter kit in their home garage that he purchased from the back of a Popular Science magazine. Typical of Clay, he flew it without the benefit of lessons seeking to figure it out on his own. He later took instruction and became a commercial instructor/pilot teaching 42 others to fly and opened a Robinson Helicopter dealership in Oklahoma City. He always had a knack for turning his hobbies into business. In 1987, Clay co-founded RoperRunner, a swimwear accessory manufacturing business, becoming a licensee for a significant swimwear brand which he later sold to fund his next venture. In 1999, Clay co-founded Ridley Motorcycle Company which revolutionized the motorcycle industry by developing automatic transmission motorcycles that introduced a new segment of riders to the market. Recently, his talents were dedicated to helping his son and daughter, Jay and Valerie, in their industrial powder coating business, ColorFast. He was always willing to help other entrepreneurs by sharing his many incredible experiences.

On September 6, 2024, Clay passed from this experience to the next. At his request there will not be a service. We will miss him greatly, but he lives on in our hearts.