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Clarence C. 'Clay' Laster Jr San Antonio, TX QCWA # 16927 Chapter 38 |
In Memory of Clayton Laster
January 12, 1925 - March 27, 2015
Clarence Clayton Laster, Jr. was born on January 12, 1925 in Gilliam, LA and peacefully returned to his Lord and Savior on March 27, 2015 in San Antonio, TX. He grew up mostly in the Shreveport, LA area. Clay attended Louisiana State University in New Orleans, LA and graduated with a degree in Physics and Mathematics. Clay met his wife of 68 years, Irma Marie House, at the USO in New Orleans. They lived together in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport, LA and Burlington, NC before moving to San Antonio in 1955 to raise their family. He was an active member of St. Mark's Methodist Church.
Clay served in the U.S. Navy during the waning days of WWII and after an honorable discharge, became a member of the Air Force Security Service, taking part in signals intelligence work in both Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. A lifelong amateur radio expert, Clay wrote multiple books on the subject and helped impart his love of radio through teaching the fundamentals and helping new "hams" get their amateur radio licenses. He achieved the highest level of amateur radio license- Amateur Extra- call sign W5ZPV.
As an associate professor in electronics at San Antonio College, Clay influenced students to share his passion for electronics and radio communications. Clay also loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, helping get them started in computers, electronics projects, and amateur radio, as well as sharing and imparting his love of history.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Irma, sister-in-law, LaVenda Laster and grandson-in-law, Ryan Vignon.
Clay is survived by his sons, Grady Clayton and wife Linda, Cary Clayton and wife Jeannie; grandchildren, Michelle Vignon, Paul Laster and wife Melissa, Jennifer Blackstone and husband Levi and Madeline Biasiolli and husband Travis. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Genevieve, Josiah, Jackson, and Jacob Laster, Alexander & Brooke Biasiolli, and Wesley Blackstone; and brother, Robert Laster.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 31st at Sunset Funeral Home from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the San Antonio Animal Defense League.
