George Henry

George Clay Henry of New Market, MD, passed away peacefully at Kline House in Mt. Airy, MD, on Sunday, February 28. George was best known by his middle name, Clay.

Clay was born in Arcadia, Louisiana, on October 20, 1922, and was raised in the farm country of northern Louisiana. After graduating from high school, Clay studied at Louisiana Tech University. His education was interrupted in 1942 when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Clay served in World War Two, flying combat missions from Italy. Many of these mission were over the oil fields of Polesti, Romania. After the war he returned to his studies, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering. During this time Clay met the love of his life, Lois Ward. He and Lois married, and had three sons. They were married for 71 years, until her death in 2017.

Clay had a long career in engineering, working for General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas, and with the Dept. of the Navy, in Washington, DC. He was quite interested in history, and in 2007 published a book about his wartime experiences. After retiring, Clay and Lois spent their time traveling, gardening, and keeping up with the families of their children, and their children’s children.

Clay is survived by his son, Robert Clay Henry, of Monrovia, California, and by his brother James Hugh Henry of Okehampton, England. Clay is also survived by seven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

Clay will Join Lois at Arlington National Cemetery at a date that has yet to be determined. The family will hold a virtual celebration of the life of Clay, and the immediate family will also gather at Arlington. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Tri-County Baptist Church in Damascus, MD tcbclive.org/give . , or to Kline House Hospice, in Mt. Airy, MD frederickhealthhospice.org.

Condolences may be sent to the family at the Stauffer Funeral Home website, staufferfuneralhome.com.