Alva Clay Lindsay, the son of John Alva Lindsay and Jessie Gamel Lindsay, was born August 15, 1922 on the Lindsay Ranch in Mason, Texas and, after living 97 years and 10 months, that is where he died on June 14, 2020.

Clay's roots ran deep in Texas and Mason County. His maternal grandfather, John William Gamel, was one of the men who gave the land for Mason's town square. His great-grandfather, Franz (Francis) Kettner came to Texas from Germany in 1848.

His paternal great-grandfathers, James Buchanan Lindsay and Thomas S.  Milligan were both in Texas in 1836 and got to Mason as soon as they could.  One of his relatives, Sterling C. Robertson, signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.

Clay and his younger sisters, Doris and Peggy, attended the Behrens school. They rode horses or drove a team and wagon five miles each way each day. Some called Behrens the Jackass School because the students rode their donkeys, horses and mules to school.

The end-of-school party and picnic always included a goat roping contest and Clay won more often than he lost. Stella Gipson Polk was one of Clay's teachers.

He attended high school in Mason and then went to the University of Texas in Austin. His time at U.T. was cut short by WWII. Clay and several other young men went to San Antonio to enlist. Clay didn't remember how it happened, but he joined the United States Merchant Marine Corps.

He traveled by train to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York where he was trained in marine engineering. Midshipman A. C. Lindsay also went to school in New Orleans, LA and San Mateo, CA. and then traveled all over the world; mostly in the South Pacific. He kept a daily diary and he was sea sick nearly every day.

Ranchers depend on the weather and during a severe drought, you sometimes have to take other jobs. During the drought of the '50's, Clay took a job selling and delivering Scotsman Ice Machines. That is how he became a partner in the White Top Liquor Store which was on the Garza County line between Crosbyton and Post, Texas.

Clay traveled 260 miles between the ranch and store every week or every other week for 25 years. That is where the 49-year-old bachelor met and married Deloris Haley Smith in October 1971. He never thought it would happen but when he was 52 and 54 years old, Alva Clay Lindsay became a father of a daughter and a son.

Clay was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jack and his sisters Effie, Doris and Peggy, his nephew Tom Lindsay, who lived in Australia, his great-great nephew Aiden Hayes who lived in New Zealand, and many close friends.

Clay is survived by his wife Deloris, his daughter, Alica Kay Lindsay of Garland, TX.,  his son Clay Haley Lindsay, daughter-in-law Mendy Beaty Lindsay and grandson, Garrett Clay Lindsay, all of Mason, TX. and  numerous nieces and nephews.

Our prayers were answered Sunday morning, June 14, 2020 when Alva Clay Lindsay left this earth. He was not in pain, he was at home on the ranch where he wanted to be and he had a peaceful passing.

If you didn't know him well, let me tell you a little about him. Clay enjoyed playing games of all kinds. He started playing dominoes with the old men on the square when he was seven-years-old.

One time, Clay pointed to a picture in the courthouse and said, "I used to play dominoes with that man." "The young man, whose office we were in, said, "Oh, no, you couldn't have. That was my grandfather and he's been dead for a long time!" Clay replied, "Well, he was really old and I was really young, but I played with him."

He remembered this gentleman so well because he would give Clay a dime every week and have him go downstairs to the drugstore to buy them each an ice cream cone. A seven-year-old would never forget a man like that.

Clay also enjoyed dancing and parties and music, especially Patsy Cline. He never smoked nor drank (except for Sweet Tea and Pepsi) and he didn't run around with wild women until he met the "gay, young, divorcee" that he married.

Clay was very competitive; a great winner and a terrible loser. He never "let" anyone, young or old, win. And, when you did beat him, he didn't like it very much.

Clay was many things to many people. He was a brother, uncle, husband, father, and friend to many. Those of you who knew him well, knew the hard-working man with a quick wit, who always had a "come back". A generous man with a kind heart and a mischievous nature.

Clay enjoyed life.  He loved his family and children and blondes. He was a gentleman and a gentle-man in every sense of the word. .

Remember the good times, the fun times, the happy times and even the sad times that you shared.

His daughter, Alica Kay Lindsay, wrote: "My dad passed away peacefully early this morning with my mom by his side. The last few months were tough on all of us and I'm glad I got to visit with him multiple times as did my brother. My mom was always there.

The last few visits he knew I was there but that isn't the dad I am going to remember. I'm going to remember the dad that always took care of me and wanted me to be happy and healthy. The dad who helped me whenever I needed it. The dad who taught me to play pitch, to love road trips and to never settle.

We miss him dearly but are glad he is at peace, in a better place and got to leave this world at his ranch."

No services are planned at this time but we look forward to celebrating Clay's  life with a big party at a later date, probably in April or May 2021. Everyone will be invited.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Deloris Haley Lindsay and family.