Clay McGee
L. Clay McGee was born in Okmulgee, Okla., on Jan. 25, 1947, to Oleta and Clay McGee.
Clay grew up in Muskogee, Okla., and graduated magma cum laude from Oklahoma Baptist University with a double major in voice and organ performance. He then graduated from North Texas State University with a master’s in music pedagogy.
Clay had a rich bass-baritone voice and spent the rest of his life performing, teaching and listening to opera. He was a singing waiter back in the day at Caruso’s Italian Restaurant, minister of music at Unity Church of Dallas for more than 20 years, retired music teacher from Country Place Elementary School in Carrollton, and he always had a private voice studio full of students.
Clay loved to hybridize daylilies and hibiscus and name them after his family and friends. He had an amazing zest for life and his wit would make you laugh until you begged him to stop.
Clay was taken from us tragically on Jan. 16, 2013, when his home exploded and burned to the ground with him and his two dogs inside. But knowing Clay, he’s still singing!
Clay is survived by his sister, Pat Aytes, brother, David McGee, niece, Laurie Pettit, and great niece, Leta, all of Oklahoma, plus a host of friends.
A celebration of his life will take place Saturday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m. at Unity Church of Dallas, 6525 Forest Lane, Dallas, with the Rev. Wanda Bedinghaus officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the SPCA or a charity of your choice.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition February 22, 2013.