Claybourne S. Magee II passed from this life and went to be with our Lord on July 18, 2026 while doing something he truly loved, hiking in nature at Rockwood Reservation Park.

Clay was born in Decatur, Indiana to Claybourne and Patricia Magee on March 14, 1945.  He was the eldest of 3 siblings.  His father was an officer in the Air Force and the family lived in numerous locations including Germany, the Philippines, Washington D.C. and California where Clay attended Wheatland High School.  He attended the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado where he played football, and after graduation trained as a pilot for the Air Force.  He proudly served for 20 years with two assignments at the Pentagon and a year in Vietnam.  After retiring from the Air Force he worked for McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) for another 25 plus years.  He always did his best at whatever job he was assigned and was highly regarded for his integrity, work ethic and knowledge as a subject matter expert.

After meeting Susan in 1969 when he was a young Air Force officer, they were immediately attracted to each other.  Married in May 1971, Clay and Susan spent 55 happy years together, raising two sons.  They were so excited last year to become grandparents to Greg and Stacy's son Michael Joseph and enjoyed a wonderful Father's Day with them this past June.

A lifelong learner, Clay attended night school while working his fulltime jobs for over 15 years, earning MA (American University), MS (University of Southern California) and JD (George Mason University) degrees.  A devout Christian, he loved the Lord and enjoyed studying the bible.  He attended many years of bible study classes with Susan at St. Alban Roe church.

Clay loved his family more than anything and wanted to do his best to make sure they were able to pursue their dreams.  He sent Susan to private pilot school, the Cordon Bleu in Paris and encouraged her to study to become a CPA.  He coached his sons in soccer and basketball, and was a Boy Scout leader helping them both to achieve Eagle Scout.  Clay was an avid outdoorsman who loved camping, hiking and fishing.  He enjoyed taking his sons to Boundary Waters and Philmont Scout camp where they learned to love the outdoors as much as he did.  He also encouraged them to study hard and do their best at whatever they tried.  He was very proud of his sons and their many accomplishments.

Clay loved to travel and took the family on many vacations to visit family, the National Parks, and trips to England and Europe.  After retiring he and Susan traveled extensively around the world continuing a tradition that began with their engagement in Hong Kong and a month-long honeymoon in Europe.  He enjoyed planning vacation travel and had a number of trips already planned for the future.

In retirement Clay especially enjoyed playing weekly bridge games with his friends at the YMCA.  He and Susan hiked the trails at Rockwood Reservation and other local parks for many years.  He was very happy to have hiked the John Muir trail in California with his son Greg and the Wind River Range in Wyoming with his son Brian.  He loved fly fishing out West with brother-in-law Rich.   At home he spent many hours gardening, and in the winter, writing a romance novel patterned after Jane Austen and watching old movies.

Clay always said that God had blessed him and his family and he lived by these words from the bible:  Act justly (do the right thing), love mercy (kindness), and walk humbly with your God.

Clay was preceded in death by his parents and brother Robert.  He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Susan Magee, sister Janet Magee, son Dr. Gregory (Stacy) Magee, grandson Michael Joseph Magee and son Brian (Sophie Fäs) Magee, and numerous other dear relatives.

A visitation and Celebration of Life is scheduled at the FAMILY CENTER at SCHRADER Funeral Home, 14960 Manchester Road, Ballwin, MO for Friday, August 7 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. We will gather in the Family Center, the large building directly behind the funeral home. The family invites you to join in participating in a "Sharing of Memories" from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. during the visitation, in which we can recall some of our favorite memories or stories about Clay. Light refreshments will be available, and you are invited to stay and visit.

A Funeral Mass is scheduled at St. Alban Roe Catholic Church, 2001 Shepard Road, Wildwood, MO for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 8. Immediately after Mass, all are invited to fellowship and a light lunch in Mikesch Hall downstairs from the church.

Sometime in the near future Susan will take Clay's cremated remains to the U. S. Air Force Academy to be interred as per his request.

In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations offered to the Catholic Medical Mission Board or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul . Please share memories of Clay and condolences with the family in the online guestbook at Schrader.com.