CLAYTON M. SMITH

A Larchmont native, Clay Smith, and father of two who moved from New York in 1993 to Louisville, Colorado, to be closer to the mountains, died September 3, 2006 while descending Mount Meeker. Clay moved to Boulder County 15 years ago after tiring of long road trips to get to the mountains. He was an avid hiker and had hiked many times around Longs and Meeker. He was incredibly safety-conscious.

Clay, 58, had summited the 13,911 foot mountain next to Longs Peak and was making his way down The Loft - a saddle between Meeker and Longs - about 1:30 pm Sunday when he fell off a 300-foot high cliff.

Mr. Smith is survivied by his wife Samantha, a son Matthew 12, and daughter Eliza 8 and one sister, Carol E. Smith of Wayne, Pa. He was self-employed as a private investor. He worked for the New York Road Runners Club and Eastern Mountain Sports before moving to Colorado. Clay was devoted to his wife Samatha and his two children, Matthew and Eliza .

The son of the late Ray Clayton Smith and the late Ethel Elizabeth Drozda Smith, he was born March 29, 1948 in East Chicago, Ind. The family moved to Larchmont while Clay was still a baby. He attended Murray Avenue School and graduated Mamaroneck High School in 1966. He also graduated Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pa.

Besides climbing, he enjoyed classic cars and the New York Yankees. He organized and attended a 50th reunion of the Murray Avenue Kindergarten class of 1953 which was held in September 2003. It included a cookout at Murray Avenue School by Walter's hotdogs.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday September 10 at the Flagstaff Amphitheater in Boulder. Contributions may be sent to the Owen-Smith Children's Education Fund in care of S. Owen, 465 Carmen St., Louisville, Co. 80027.

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