Richard Allen Clay, M.D.

Dr. Richard Allen Clay passed away on Saturday January 7, 2012 after ninety-three blessed years. He was born and reared in Durant as part of a family of doctors whose combined years of practice now approaches nearly 400 years. He loved to hunt and fish and was an Eagle Scout. As a student in high school and at Southeastern University he was student body president and active in all activities while working on pre-medical requirements. In 1942 after three years in medical school at Oklahoma University, he married the lovely Bess Arnett Freeman of Foreman, Arkansas. The following May 1943, the M.D. degree was conferred from the University of Oklahoma Medical School, where he was the president of his senior class. After graduation, as an Army Reserve, he began an Internship and two terms as Resident Physician in Ophthalmology. Richard had gone through life as R. A. Clay, but the Army won't allow initials and soon he became known as Dick. He was stationed at Ft. Dix, N.J. and soon afterward was sent as a Captain in the Army to Colon, Panama, where he was placed in charge of eye care in two hospitals. On return to the United States Dick went to The New York Hospital, Cornell Medical Center in mid-town Manhattan for additional training in Ophthalmology. He then opened his office in Oklahoma City to do eye surgery at three hospitals. He was always in solo practice but had a wonderful 45 year friendship and office ownership with Dr. C. W. McClure. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Member of the County, State and American Medical Associations, and Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine. In 1965 Dick obtained the State Charter for The Oklahoma Eye Foundation with the idea of building an Eye Institute for research and treatment and to train new ophthalmologists. Mr. McGee, a prominent oil man gave the first major donation and in 1975 the Dean A. McGee Eye Institute opened on the campus of the Oklahoma Medical Center, where Dr. Clay served as Attending Staff. It continues to be a beautiful and state-of-the-art center for learning and training carefully selected young doctors, and it is a testament to Dr. Clay's lasting contribution to ophthalmology. Dick and Bess were married 63 years, many of which were spent hosting and entertaining in their beautiful former home on Guilford Lane in Nichols Hills. Dick lived every minute to the fullest, and in the last few years still took trips to places like Alaska and the East Coast. His age never stopped him from continuing his many fishing and hunting adventures with beloved friends. In addition to being an exceptional doctor, he was also a fine writer and spent his last few years working on a book that will be published. Every major family event warranted a new poem, and his rhyme rivaled that of Poe himself. He remained a faithful fan of the Oklahoma Sooners and was recognized for holding season tickets for over 60 years. On Sundays he could be found teaching Sunday school at Westminster Presbyterian Church. He spent much time reading the Bible and sharing devotionals; his favorite songs are mostly hymns of faith and praise to the Lord. His quick wit and sense of humor drew others to him easily, making special friends everywhere he went. He valued family and friends more than anything else, and he frequently planned trips and gatherings for those he loved so dearly. His wife Bess Freeman Clay passed away in 2005 after many years of love and care by Dick. He is survived by his children, Dr. Harriette Clay Porter, Marty Conkle and her husband Cliff, and Richard A. Clay, Jr. and his wife Marilyn Mirtz; his grandchildren Dr. Christy Clay, Dr. Richard Ryan Conkle and wife Diane Conkle, Lindsay Conkle and Richard Austin Clay; his sister Joy Clay Wright; and his office manager and friend, Alma Lynch. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Ancil Monden and Rowena Masias for their excellent care of Dick in these last few months. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, January 12 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in his name to the Dean A. McGee Eye Institute or Westminster Presbyterian Church.