Eldon Clay Smith

Eldon Clay Smith, 87, of Mora, died Sunday, January 5, 2020 at Elim Care Center in Milaca.  Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 10, 2020 at the Johnson Funeral Home in New London.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and for one hour prior to the service.  Burial with military honors will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in New London.

Eldon Clay Smith was born on July 21, 1932 in Richmond, Kentucky, the son of Harry and Dorrothea (Eades) Smith.  He grew up in Richmond where he attended school before entering the US Army in 1949.  He served as platoon Sgt. and instructor in tactics and special weapons and served in the Korean War and two tours in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1969 and moved to Columbus, Georgia where he worked as long distance truck driver.  On November 13, 1976, Clay was united in marriage to Susan Wilkie.  They made their home in Long Beach, California where he installed alarm systems and was an insurance agent. They moved to Kentucky in 1982 and Mora in retirement in 1988.  Clay and Susan shared in 38 years of marriage before her death on February 20, 2015.

Clay loved working on his computer, reading, bible studies, fishing and hunting. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Clay is survived by his step-children, Linda (David) Sorum, John (Kathy) LaFramboise, Charlie (Pat) LaFramboise, Terry (Donna) LaFramboise, Lana Agenter, Randy (Pam) LaFramboise, Kevin LaFramboise and Allen LaFramboise; twenty-four grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Carroll Smith and John Smith.   He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan; daughter, Shirley; son, Michael; grandson, Daniel Sorum (age 11); two sisters and brother.

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