On Saturday, April 4, 2020, in Leesburg, Virginia, Arthur Edward "Art" McClay went home to meet his Savior at the age of 88, at peace and surrounded by his family after a long struggle with various health issues and surgical complications.

Art was born on February 23, 1932, in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, to Reuben Arthur and Myrtle McClay. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Corry from 1952 until his honorable discharge in 1960. Art met Jesus during his Navy service through the ship's chaplain, and he followed his Savior faithfully for the rest of his life.

Soon after leaving the Navy, Art began teaching Sunday School at West Wyomissing Chapel in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he met his beloved Elizabeth Margaret. He married his "Betty" on a very rainy Bastille Day, then settled down with her just south of Reading, where they lived for over fifty-five years, raising two children, Debbie and Jim. He sang in the church choir, served and taught at the Hope Rescue Mission in Reading, and attended Victory Baptist Church with Betty for many years.  Anyone who knew Art knew that he was very proud to be employed by Hewlett Packard until he retired in 1993. In 2018, Art and Betty moved to Leesburg, Virginia, to be closer to their children and their two granddaughters, where they most recently found a church family at Faithway Baptist Church.

Art had a passion for serving others, for excellence in his work, and for fixing broken things of all sorts. He relished classical music, building his own organ, had an infectious laugh, was a brilliant whistler, and always had a joke on the tip of his tongue. He loved coffee, dark chocolate, his recliner, V-8, Betty's pizza, singing hymns, the American flag, and his cats. He took immense pride in his Irish heritage and will be buried with a shamrock in his hand, a shamrock tie and shamrock socks. Most of all, he loved his Savior Jesus and could not wait to meet him.

Art is survived by his sweetheart Betty, his son Jim McClay and his wife Debbie, his daughter Debbie Greig and her husband Dave, and his two granddaughters, Emily and Catie. They would like to thank all those who have visited, prayed and cared for Art and Betty over the past few years.

In light of current events, a small graveside service will be held in Gouglersville, Pennsylvania, Friday, April 10, at 12 noon. A celebration of Art's life will be held sometime this summer.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Hope Rescue Mission in Reading, PA, or a charity of your choice, in memory of Art's gentle heart for others.