Clay Raesz, 51, of Taylor, was born Oct. 31, 1970, in Austin. He passed away Friday July 1, 2022 at Seton Hospital in Round Rock.
He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Clay operated a local Acme Trucking terminal in Taylor for a number of years. He also enjoyed making runs in his Peterbilt. His favorite pastime was traveling the state of Texas to participate in barbecue cookoffs, picking up many awards.
Clay was preceded in death by grandparents, Minnie and Eugene Raesz, and Mary Adele and Don Smith, Grace and Mahon Garry, whose genteel and loving influence during weekly visits to the Garry farm during his childhood.
Clay is survived by his wife, Heather Abrams-Raesz; her father, Ted Abrams of Hempstead; his adoptive parents, Jan and Gene Raesz of Circleville; his natural father, Robert Florea of Jamaica; his sister, Catherine Raesz of Clear Lake; siblings, Chloe and Dylan Florea of Florida; aunts and uncles, Jody and Donny Smith, Barbara and David Dike, Cindy and Shelley Smith all of Ft. Worth, Carol and Wilford Webb of Plano; numerous cousins and his beloved Dachshund, Maggie.
Pallbearers are John Walton, Thomas Webb, Cody Burns, Keith Wallin, John Gruby, Skipper Hamilton and Adam Jezisek.
Honorary pallbearers are Allen Ray David, Barry Tarrant, Brett Harbors, Chad Coffman, Charlie Shirley, Fernando Jonse, James Jirasek, Russel Balusek and Tony Buzan
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 6 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Providence Funeral Home Taylor.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m., Thursday, July 7, at Providence Funeral Home Taylor, with Paster Henry Taylor officiating.
