L. Clay Brock

BENTON, LA - L. Clay Brock, born January 20, 1934 in Clarksdale, Mississippi, went to be with his Lord on April 19, 2016. Visitation will be held Friday, April 22, from 5-7pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Bossier City. A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00pm Saturday, April 23 at Rose-Neath Chapel in Bossier City with Reverend Tom Reinowski officiating. Clay and his school sweetheart, Ann Wood, graduated from Winnfield High School in 1951 and both later attended Northwestern State University and received a BA in Education. Clay subsequently earned an MA in Education, and additional graduate hours in education at UT, in Austin, TX., as well as many certificate programs. Clay married his sweetheart and was a long-time resident of Bossier Parish with Ann and their three children Matt, Rhonda, and Brad. Clay and Ann, and infant son Matt first settled in Plain Dealing in 1957, where both parents began careers in education that would come to define them and their significant contributions to Bossier Parish. Clay served as Teacher, coached men's and women's sports at Rocky Mount and Plain Dealing High School, and was promoted to the Central Office in Benton, LA, where he served in several administrative posts ultimately retiring as Assistant Superintendent in 1989. Clay's passion for the continued improvement the delivery of education saw him establish Educational Consultant Services, Inc., a private enterprise which allowed him to continue working in teacher development. He was uniquely qualified for this work as he possessed a wealth of professional knowledge, was an effective motivational speaker, and delivered his message with humor. His 32-year career as a professional educator included membership in Phi Delta Kappa, affiliation with federal and state education programs, the Boy Scouts of America, and many civic organizations in the Shreveport-Bossier area. Clay and Ann were charter members of the Krewe of Gemini, participating as officers and float riders. Clay was Krewe Captain in 1996. Clay was also a patriot. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1955 until retiring from the U.S. Army Reserves in 1981 with the rank of Colonel. During the early years of his military career Clay was stationed in Germany, patrolling the Czech border. Ann gave birth to Matt, the eldest son, in Munich, during their time in Germany. Clay was an avid outdoorsman. His love of the outdoors found him hunting at his deer lease with a motley group of wonderful people, fishing, and spending time with family and friends at the family camp at Cypress Lake. Following the death of Ann in 2010, Clay remarried to Sue Wolfe-Austin in 2011. Sue is a very special friend and partner who helped create and shared many happy times with Clay and his family. Clay's love for family, friends, and co-workers was well known, as was his deep Christian faith. Clay and Ann brought their family up in the Benton Presbyterian Church, in which Clay served in a variety of roles including lay pastor, and was Clerk of the Session for over 25 years. His wife of 55 years, Ann, parents, Clay Brock, Sr. and Iris Irene Penley predeceased Clay. He is survived by three children Matt Brock, his wife Deborah, Matt's daughter Karly Kaye Brock, and her son William Zane Valentine, Rhonda Brock and her friend Bill Rogers, Brad Brock and his wife, Karen. He is also survived by numerous cousins. The family would like to express appreciation for the compassionate care Clay received at Willis-Knighton Hospital, and Charles Powers, his physician. Clay was a loving husband, father, friend, and devoted educator. He will be remembered by all whose lives he touched. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Benton Presbyterian Church (c/o Rev Tom Reinowski, Airline Drive at Linton Road, Bossier City LA 71111), or charity of choice.