Born on September 4, 1955 – Died on September 24, 2012. That was all Clay wanted his obituary to read, but Clay was too good a person to get by with so little said. Many people have said he was the nicest, kindest man they’ve ever known. Clay was truly generous of his time and of his talents. He always gave 110% whether for work, for friends, or for one of his hobbies.

Clay was born to Benny C. and Rhoda J. Singleton in Wichita, Kansas. He had two younger brothers, Brian and Brett. He attended Kansas University, but graduated from Wichita State University, Summa Cum Laude, with a degree in Accounting. After earning his CPA certificate, he worked for a couple of Big 8 accounting firms and then for private companies, but he did not find his calling and work family until he was employed by Scott, Douglass & Luton (now Scott, Douglass & McConnico) in 1985 as their Administrator. He had no experience in managing a law firm, and they had never employed one, so it was a perfect fit.

Clay had many interests. He and his brothers swam competitively as kids and in college. He swam Masters until it began to cut into his “daddy” time. He rowed at WSU. He enjoyed cycling, once riding from Portland, OR to Boulder, CO. After witnessing the fun the Winkler family had with their ski boat, he bought a boat and joined a local ski club to learn how to slalom. He enjoyed many years on the Pedernales and Lake Travis hauling his daughters and their friends on skis, wakeboards, and inner tubes. Once soccer became the primary activity of the Singleton girls, Sarah and Kate, action photography became Clay’s interest. He’d capture awesome displays of athleticism and share his photos with other parents. One photo was even printed on the cover of a Texas soccer magazine, but Diane mistakenly got credit for it because she submitted the photograph. That was typical of Clay, he’d do the work and not get the glory, but he didn’t mind. He never sought attention.

Go-karting was a brief hobby. Hitting a track wall and cracking a rib put an end to that. He’s always enjoyed grilling, but when he learned of the Big Green Egg, he became an enthusiastic Egghead. He took welding classes at ACC and was looking forward to welding a side-gate whenever Diane finished her design. Jeep rock crawling was his most recent interest. He bought a Jeep and joined the local Jeep club, attending their monthly meetings and as many Jeep outings as work and his health permitted.

Clay really liked cars. He read “Road & Track” and “Car & Driver” magazines cover to cover and knew automobiles inside out. He was even told once that he could get a job selling Mini Coopers since he knew more about them than the salesman. He was especially good at getting a good deal, giving allowance for the dealership to make some profit, but not much. Once, a car purchase hinged on whether the dealer would throw in a wooden gear shift knob for free. He got it.

Clay liked to travel, but only if it was somewhere where he could do something physical, like hiking, or horseback riding or river rafting. After a two week visit to Alaska in 1992, courtesy of the partners at SD&M, he returned twice more, once with his family in the Suburban for an eight week road adventure, and once with his good friend, Jay Pfeiffer, for a 10 day dogsled mushing trip in Denali National Park, AK.

The only thing he truly had no interest in was yard work, yet he was too thrifty to hire someone else to do it.

Clay and Diane met when they were 12, married at 22 and started their family at 32. Clay loved nothing more than his family. Sarah and Kate were truly the joy of his life. He had a good life.