Wesley "Red" Mcclay

Wesley “Red” McClay, age 88, passed at UC Health on July 17, 2021 surrounded by loved ones.

Born April 4, 1933 in Washington County, Illinois to Owen and Isla McClay, he resided the majority of his life in Aurora, CO. Red pursued multiple entrepreneurial works beginning at a young age as a paper boy to owning multiple restaurants, including the restaurant he met Beverly at, working for Benjamin Moore, retiring in 1995, and a strong involvement in real estate properties long after his retirement. Wesley served in the Navy from 1951-1955 in the Korean war on the USS Rainier and his service was an important accomplishment in his life which he recalled frequently and proudly. Red was nicknamed after his bright red hair and firecracker personality which is fondly remembered by his friends and family because he was always offering up a laugh. A favorite place that many laughs were had was Red’s family cabin where he could be in the place he loved, playing cards, eating ice cream, or sipping a vodka and 7up, surrounded by the family he loved.

Wesley is survived by his wife: Beverly McClay, children: Ricki Boetel, Dennis (Levena) McClay, Tami McClay, and Sean McClay, siblings: Jean Mcclay and Roberta McClay, grandchildren: John McClay, Kalem Riley, Brittany Boetel, Chelsie Boetel, J.J. McClay, Megan McClay, and Brice McClay, and great-grandchildren: Crystal Riley, Katelyn Riley, Leah Boetel, and Braiden Cordsen. He is preceded in death by his parents: Owen and Isla McClay and siblings: Carl McClay, Jim McClay, Verna McClay, John McClay, Iona McClay, and Maurice McClay.

A memorial service will be held at Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church at 1500 S Dayton St., Denver, CO 80247 on Friday, July 23 at 4:00pm. Relatives and friends are welcome to come and celebrate Red’s life.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Rocky Mountain Fisher House, which serves military families, to honor Red’s memory. The donation link can be found at https://denverfisherhouse.networkforgood.com/ .