Maj. Robert Brannon Clay, 83, a retired Marine, died Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2005.

A family memorial service will be later, with burial at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola. Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Riggins Road Chapel (850-877-8191) is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Combat Casualty Assistance Campaign of the Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 N. Randolph St., Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203-1977.

He passed peacefully in his sleep into the next life. Maj. Clay was born March 20, 1922, in Austell, Ga. He served as a Naval aviator in World War II and the Korean War. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with one silver and two gold stars, the Navy/Marine Commendation Medal with a V for valor, a Navy Unit Commendation Medal and numerous other decorations.

After retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1964, he attended Florida State University and received his bachelor of arts and master of science degrees. He was employed by the State Aircraft Pool, where he was a pilot for Gov. Reuben Askew. He later took an administrative position for the Florida Department of Transportation.

Maj. Clay was a member of the Retired Officers Association, the Quiet Birdmen and the Civil Air Patrol. Maj. Clay had resided at Westminster Oaks for the past five years. Despite declining health and mobility, he maintained his good cheer and wry wit, admonishing all he met, "Don't grow old!" He also claimed to still hear the "clip-clop" of horse hooves on hard-packed red clay as he left Westminster Oaks and headed down Miccosukee Road on outings.

He was a kind and generous man and a loving and supportive husband and father through thick and thin who will be terribly missed. "He was our hero." Maj. Clay is survived by his former wife, Louise S. Clay; his sons and daughters-in-law, John M. Clay and Coleen A. Castro, and Linc Clay and Karen Girard, all of Tallahassee, and William B. Clay and Anna Rivola-Clay of Charlotte, N.C., and a sister, Johnnie Eminger of Paradise, Calif.