Clayton Corwin Patrick

Clayton Corwin Patrick, age 80, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025, at Richard Nau Hospice House in Longview, WA. Clay lived a life filled with love, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to those close to him.

Born in Portland, Oregon to Howard M. Patrick and Maxine M. (Cornwall) Patrick, Clay graduated from Olympia High School in 1962, Whitworth College in 1966 with a B.A. in Political Science and Economics, and from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law in 1969, with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. He went on to spend three years as a legal aide and five years on the faculty of Williamette School of Law before opening a private practice that he held until his retirement in 2017, in which he focused upon appellate law cases for other attorneys.

Clay was a man with numerous interests and hobbies. He savored the many sounds of music from classical, jazz, and blues to those of his rock favorite, Mick Jagger; played trumpet in the symphonic band at Lower Columbia College; and had lifelong interests in photography and writing. He held a pilot's license and enjoyed flying small planes. Cooking brought pleasure to Clay, especially creating Indian and Thai food. He was known for his kindness, calm authority, and openness to new things. Clay was intrigued with the philosophy of metaphysics, practiced journaling, meditation, and yoga, and was a Reiki Master. His spirituality and passion for life left all of us better for knowing him.

Clay thoroughly enjoyed outdoor activities and was partial to vertical caving in the Marble Mountain Wilderness of Northern California. Camping and backpacking were favorite activities, particularly annual trips in his Volkswagen bus to the Saline Valley hotsprings near Death Valley.

Clay married Linnea Hartford Patrick in 1966; they were together for 24 years, but friends for the remainder of his life. He married Maggie Muller in 1991 and lost her to pancreatic cancer in 2017.

Clay is survived by his loving partner, Julie Herron; his half-siblings, Philip Patrick and Lonnie Thamert, a cousin, Becky Wade, and their families.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 where loved ones will gather to share cherished memories. Please contact Glenn at (503) 791-2154 for details. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the Cancer Research Institute.

Clay Patrick will be deeply missed, yet his spirit lives on in the hearts of all of those who knew and loved him.