Charles E. 'Eddie' Clay, age 90, of Hot Springs, passed away October 4, 2012, at Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, SD.

Eddie was born August 10th, 1922, in Stahl, MO, to the late Jesse and Iva Clay. After graduating from Eldora High School in 1941, Eddie joined the United States Air Force where he served until 1945. While stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, he visited Hot Springs, met and married the love of his life, Clara Mae Hagen. He later served in the Korean War with the 301st Logistical Command for Military Intelligence at Fort Hood, Texas from 1950-52.

Throughout his life he contributed to his community and his state and shared his many gifts as a ceramic artist, city manager, realtor and owner and operator of Fall River Abstract Company for 42 years. He was a man of deep faith and an active member of The United Churches for over 65 years.
Eddie served in the South Dakota House of Representatives for eight years as a state representative for Fall River and Shannon counties. While in the Legislature he served as Vice Chairman for the House Appropriations Committee, Chairman of South Dakota Constitutional Revision Commission, Chairman of Black Hills Council of Local Governments and ran for Republican Lt. Governor in 1974.

In addition to his government accomplishments he was an active Mason of Harmony Lodge #110 for more than 50 years, serving as the South Dakota Grand Master in 1972 and as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees Masonic Grand Lodge of South Dakota. In 2011 he was the longest living South Dakota Grand Master.

Following discovery of a mammoth sinkhole on the edge of Hot Springs in 1974, he served as the Mammoth Site president from 1984 until 2008 and played a key role in helping the site become a world-class research facility and a popular tourist destination. For nearly two decades, Eddie served as a volunteer for the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society. In 1988 he became a Director and continued until 2005, when he was granted emeritus status. Since 1978 he served on the Board of Directors of The Evans Plunge, Inc. Eddie was a founding member of the Pine Hills Retirement Community ownership group.

Eddie volunteered throughout his life. He was Chairman South Dakota State Chamber of Commerce, on the Board of Directors of the Black Hills Playhouse (9 years), President South Dakota Public Broadcasting (18 years), President South Dakota Friends of Public Broadcasting (10 years), on the Board of Directors AAA of South Dakota, President South Dakota Land Title Association and Executive Committee Black Hills Council of Local Governments.

He received numerous honors including; an honorary doctorate from South Dakota School of Mines in 1983, Realtor of the Year from Black Hills Board of Realtors in 1969, Hot Springs Citizen of the Year in 1995, South Dakota "Ben Black Elk Award" Recipient for Outstanding Service to Tourism in 1995, Outstanding Achievement Award from Black Hills Badlands and Lakes Association in 1986, Distinguished Service Award from Fall River Conservation District in 1990 and South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development Award for Excellence in Economic Development in 2011. As a testament to his civic accomplishments Eddie was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in September 2007.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 66 years, Clara Mae (Hagen) Clay of Hot Springs; daughter, Bobbi Kennedy of Columbia, SC; four grandchildren, Suzannah and husband, Bo Bagwell, of Summerville, SC; Meredith Williams of Irmo, SC; Kate and wife, Cammy Kennedy, of Columbia, SC; Joe and wife, Anita, Kennedy, of Fort Collins, CO; five great-grandchildren; Alexander, Liam, and Eran Bagwell as well as Ella and Nathan Williams; nieces, Alana Axe and Charlotte Wagner; and nephew, Dale Clay.

His parents, his brother, Robert Clay; sister, Beatrice Clay Svendsen, and son-in-law, Raymond M. Kennedy, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. with a Sharing Service at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, October 7, 2012, at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 8, 2012, at the Mueller Center Theater in Hot Springs with Pastor Clint Walker officiating.

Interment will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Eddie's name to benefit the Charles E. Clay Legacy at the Mammoth Site, the United Churches, and the Harmony Lodge #110 Scholarship Fund.