Sheldon Edward Clay, Jr.
Sheldon Edward Clay, Jr. “Don” was born to Sheldon E. Clay, Sr. and Carolyn (Lee) Clay on November 19, 1939, in Baltimore, Maryland. The family moved to Baudette, Minnesota in 1950, to operate Clay Drug. Don graduated from Baudette High School in 1957, where he was a talented athlete, and received “all-conference” recognition and earned a football scholarship at the University of Minnesota. There, he was an outstanding freshman player. Don transferred to the Bemidji State Conference his sophomore year, and was granted another full scholarship. He lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. Don was a key part in helping his team win the 1959 College Northern Intercollegiate Conference co-champions and they were recognized with the “Little All-American.” While in college he met his life partner, and married Carol Jean Hamre in 1960. He graduated Bemidji State College in 1962 with a B.S. in Education with majors in English, Social Studies, and a concentration in Reading.
After graduation, Don was recruited to Merced, California; to begin his career as a teacher and coach. He continued his studies to finish a Special Education degree and Masters in Reading. Don worked at several schools in California, Minnesota and Alaska, teaching and coaching multiple sports. He wasn’t afraid of tackling challenges head on, including learning how to raise Angus cattle in Leonard, MN. During his time in Leonard, he also performed as a deacon at the local Lutheran Church. When an opportunity arose to purchase a friend’s lake home, Don and his wife traded farm life to enjoy their retirement on a quiet lake in the woods, outside of Bagley, MN.
Don Clay was a proud Minnesotan, and enjoyed the outdoors including fishing, golfing, and hunting. He also enjoyed reading, writing essays, poems, and sharing his humor with family and friends, rarely mentioning his prior success as an athlete. Don lost his struggle with dementia on April 16, 2026, at the memory care unit of Crystal Brook Senior Living, in Park Rapids, MN. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Shelli Dawn, and his parents.
Don is survived by his loving family: wife, son, grandsons, three brothers, a sister and their families. His family will be celebrating Don’s life, on Sunday, August 2nd, at 1 p.m. at the Dudley Township Cemetery, south of Leonard. A luncheon will follow at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Leonard, MN.