James "Jim" E. Clay

Dakota Dunes, SD – James Edward “Jim” Clay, 76, of Dakota Dunes, SD returned to his heavenly Father on September 1, 2017 to be reunited with his beautiful wife.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m., Thursday, September 7, 2017, at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel (6200 Morningside Ave).  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. 

James Edward “Jim”, the son of George B. Clay and Effie (Huffman) Clay, he was born February 16, 1941 in McCook Lake, SD.  Jim grew up in the McCook Lake area and attended school in Jefferson, SD.  Following school, he worked in the packing house.

On July 30, 1960, Jim was united in marriage to JoAnn Marie Glass in Elk Point, SD and this union was blessed with five children.  In the early 1970’s, the family moved into their home in the Riverland Estates area.  Jim worked as a thoroughbred horse trainer until the mid-1980’s until him and JoAnn purchased Clay’s Saloon in Riverside.  Prior to retiring, he was a truck driver/supervisor for Goodwill Industries.

Jim enjoyed gardening, raising chickens and horses, cooking and watching “Saddle up Saturday”.  Above all, he loved being with family and friends.

Jim is survived by five children: Pat Clay (Michelle) of Des Moines, IA, Veronica Clay of North Sioux City, SD, Troy Clay (Heather) of Sergeant Bluff, IA, Laura Clay-Sanderson (Tom) of Sioux City, IA and George Clay of North Sioux City, SD; fourteen grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and a bucket load of cats.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, JoAnn on Feb. 8, 2004; four brothers and three sisters.