John Courtland Clay

John Courtland Clay, born December 1, 1949 passed from this life April 13, 2026. He was preceded in death by his mother Lillian Falcone, stepfather Joseph Falcone and father, Hubert Clay. He leaves behind sister Betty Lou Wallace and extended family, nephews: James Wallace (Donna Kaye) and Mark Wallace (Jennifer), and grand-nephews and nieces, Cierra and Spencer (Whitney), Ashlyn and Jacob (Angelica). Great-grand nephews and nieces: Nolan, Porter, Remington, Elliana and Easton.

John was born healthy! A joyful, alert and playful baby boy. He passed learning to walk and went straight to running. Somewhere between 18 months and two years old, Johnny stopped walking and went back to crawling. Tests showed his eyes were developing cataracts. Before three years old he had cataracts removed and shortly after had a second surgery to remove the damage and scars from the first surgeon. Too much surgery for a baby, he went into shock and high fevers, destroying his optic nerve. Total blindness and severe hearing loss resulted, eventually ending in deafness.

John was a real soldier. He suffered through dormitory schools and house fathers and being away from home and unimaginable loneliness. At 18 years old he started working at the sheltered workshop and held outside jobs like Best Western and Nabisco, and fifteen years working at a day care.

After retiring, a leg injury kept him in a wheelchair, but John stayed joyful. He knew Jesus, and he knew how to pray. He was appreciative of his caregivers and Sunday School workers who helped him through the long days of darkness these past years of sitting in a recliner day and night. But life was still dark. Until…death. John opened his eyes and they were all there… family, MOM, and JESUS! And JOHN CAN SEE!!

In Lieu of flowers, donations on behalf of John can be made to Maumee United Methodist Church in care of the Awesome God Class. 

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026 at Toledo Memorial Park.