Philip Clayton Jay, Jr. (Clayton) finished what he began in 1922 early Friday morning, March 21st. He was a third generation investor in the Fitzgerald and Ben Hill County Community; partnering to initiate a chain of events in the 1960s that would drive Fitzgerald’s economy for the next forty years and lead the Wall Street Journal to dub Fitzgerald, “The Recruiting Colossus From Nowhere,” (December 21st, 1994).
Clayton’s work in community building was eclipsed only by the love story between him and Rosa Lee, his wife of 67 years, resulting in three generations of family they have now left behind.
After earning a Purple Heart at the Battle of the Bulge, he went on to earn a law degree from Mercer University and in 1947 began what would become a 60 + year career in law and banking while focusing on his true calling in economic development. He received numerous State and regional awards for his work, culminating in Citizen of the Year in 1984.
Funeral Services will be held 2 p.m. Monday, March 24th at Central United Methodist Church with the Rev. Keith Goodlett and the Rev. Hallock Martin officiating. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 4-6 at 309 S. Lee Street.
He is survived by a son and two daughters: Philip Clayton Jay, III; Lydia Martin (Hallock); Susan Jay (John Lundgren); six grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials to the Christian Kitchen, P.O. Box 1195, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to Communities in Schools of Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County, P.O. Box 362, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.