Clay De Waal was a gift upon entering this world, 04/22/98 and continued to shine in all he did and changed every room he entered from that day.
During Junior High Clay discovered his love for wrestling and this gift quickly became Clay’s passion.Clay’s life was enriched by a remarkable friendship with his mother. Through countless hours on the road to wrestling camps, they built a connection that went beyond a traditional parent-childrelationship—they became best friends. Their shared journeys and laughter brought them closer, forginga bond that will continue into eternity. Clay’s mother was his unwavering supporter and his dearest companion, a relationship that defined them both and will be cherished forever. He qualified for theKansas Team and represented Kansas in Fargo, North Dakota. He qualified for the Kansas State High School Wrestling Championships in his Sophomore, Junior and Senior years of High School, placing his senior year.
Clay graduated with honors from Saint Francis Community High School in 2016.
Clay carried this passion into college after receiving a wrestling scholarship at Bethany College. He wrestled for one season before deciding that his heart was at home in the family business at Tri-State Irrigation. Clay began his career in this business at 12 years old and continued until the end of his life. He became his dad's right-hand man and best friend.
After coming home, Clay had a desire to give back and pass his love of wrestling on to the next generations of children in the community he grew up in. Clay became the High School Assistant Wrestling Coach, and soon after Clay took over the Little Kids Wrestling Program. Clay deeply loved teaching and mentoring the kids not only in the sport of wrestling but also to be great people. Through Clay's inspiration the wrestling program grew exponentially, many kids qualified for state wrestling, and he coached the first Saint Francis Female State Champion wrestler. Clays love for this sport was undeniable but his love for the kids was his driving force. Win or lose his greatest desire was to see them excel and grow, healing every broken heart and pushing athletes to learn individually from every match. Clay’s desire to unconditionally love every athlete was shown matside, during practice and in hiseveryday life.
Clay recently discovered JuJitsu and fell in love with this sport. He claimed it was "like folding clothes with people still in them.” He quickly became an avid student of the sport and excelled in competition, making a family along the way. Clay said recently that his biggest takeaway in this sport was that the community and the people of the gym are more important than any belt color you can achieve.
Clay loved shoes, had impeccable style, loved golf, the outdoors, Sriracha, great food, especially desserts, great hair, getting his friends hooked on sports betting, his Valley family, and he never missed a UFC fight.
Above all else, Clay's first love was his family and the family dogs. If you were to see Clay at home he loved harassing his mom endlessly, wrestling with his dad (who always lost), talking football with his brother, Coy, teasing his sister, Bree who he fondly called Bugs and giving her the best advice.
Clay knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and was diligent in spending time with Him. His phone, his homeand his mind were full of scripture and God's love flowed freely from him on every interaction.
Clay’s family would like to share that Clay would want to leave us all with this love each other, support each other, believe in each other and be the light for each other. Let your lights shine, be like Coach Clay!
Clay passed away at Cheyenne County Hospital on November 3, 2024, and left a huge hole in his family,this community, the world and the Valley community.
Clay is survived by his parents, Ian and Michele De Waal and his siblings Coy DeWaal and Bree De Waal.
Per Clay’s wishes, a memorial will be created to help dedicated wrestlers, athletes and kids like him to aid them in achieving their highest potential. Contributions may be made to The Clay De WaalMemorial and can be mailed to PO Box 131, St Francis, KS 67756.