Roger David Clay

Kearney, NE- Roger D. Clay, age 60 of Merna died Sunday, March 16, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Funeral services will be held on Friday March 21, 2013 at 10:30 AM at Govier Bros. Mortuary in Broken Bow with Rev. Barry Johnson officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be held on Thursday March 20, 2014, 8 AM to 8 PM at Govier Bros. Mortuary. Roger was born on July 28, 1953, in Broken Bow, NE, to Ralph and Betty (Christensen) Clay. Roger is survived by sisters Jean Anderson and spouse Dillard of North Platte, Liz (Elizabeth) Baker of Kenosha, WS, and Dawn Johnson of Merna; brothers Lawrence Clay and spouse Corliss of Kennewick, WA, and Richard Clay and spouse Judy of Horton, KS, nieces and nephews; Mike, Christa, Rod, Kelly, Shandell, Jennifer, Sam, Barry, Jonathan, Christopher, Steve, Jerry, Brett, and Scott and many other Clay and Christensen relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Betty (Christensen) Clay, his brothers James (Jim) Clay and Leland (Pat) Clay, his sisters Anita Clay Campbell and Sandra Clay Meinhardt, a niece Susan Aimee Meihardt, one special great niece Kara Dawn Johnson Haller. Roger spent the majority of his life in and around the Merna area. He helped his father with carpenter work and after Dad’s death he worked on his own. He did spend some time while younger, working around the Cozad area. Roger graduated from Anselmo-Merna High School. Roger enjoyed Nebraska Football as did the rest of the family. His favorite pastime was working and playing in his garden. He worked with cross breeding of plants and sorts of things to improve his garden. Roger, Jim, Pat and Anita all had Marfan’s Syndrome, a disease inherited from their mother. They, and their mother, plus many other Christensen relative passed away due to the complications caused by Marfan’s Syndrome. The disease affects the blood vessels and heart. Because of this disease we (the family) are requesting memorials be made to the Marfan’s Foundation for further research.