BEAUFORT, SC – MGYSGT Thomas F. McClay, 81, widower of Laura Ann McClay, died Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012 at his residence in Beaufort, SC.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Anderson Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Carl Anderson Memorial Chapel with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Mr. McClay was born on Dec. 27, 1931 in Ellenville, NY. He is the son of the late John McClay and Jessie Smith McClay and was a graduate of Ellenville High School, Ellenville, NY in 1949.
Thomas joined the marines in January 1950. He was a veteran of 26 years from 1950-1976 including service in Korea 1951 and Viet Nam in 1965 and 1969. He attained the rank of CWO-2 and retired as a MGYSGT in 1976. After retirement he served as a Lt. in Hilton Head Plantation Security from 1976- 1991.
Thomas loved to dance, garden, fish and hunt and he was a present member of AMVETS Post 70, VFW Post 8760, Moose Lodge 1855 and American Legion post 0172, Columbia, SC.
Surviving are two brothers, Robert J. McClay and William J. McClay; one sister, Lois M. Lawrence and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother Donald J. McClay.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Agape Hospice of the Lowcountry, 433 First Avenue, Ridgeland, SC 29936.
Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. www.andersonfuneralhome beaufortsc.com.