From left to right: Dr. Clay Fulcher, his wife Ann Arledge, and former Dean of The Cockrell School of Engineering Ben Streetman.
Clay W. G. Fulcher passed away on October 19, 2011, at Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas. He was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, March 28, 1933, to Henry C. and Elma Gunn Fulcher and graduated from W. F. High where he played guard on the 1949 state champion football team. He entered The University of Texas at Austin in 1950 and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, Silver Spurs and NROTC, graduating with a BSME degree and a commission as ensign, USN in January, 1955. Active duty was in WestPac as engineering officer aboard the USS Formoe (DE) and the USS George A. Johnson (DE). Returning to The University of Texas at Austin, he earned his MSME degree in 1959 and affiliated with the Naval Reserve, serving as XO/CO of units in Naval Research and Naval Air Systems Command, retiring in 1989 with the rank of Rear Admiral.
Young Clay Fulcher working in General Electric's Technical Library.
He was employed by General Electric (GE) in 1959 with assignments in Flight Propulsion, Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion, and Missile and Space. He completed GE advanced engineering courses before moving to GE Space Division in Houston in 1962. He earned a PhD in mechanical engineering at the University of Houston; his thesis on control of a liquid cooling garment for extravehicular astronauts contributed to the design of life support systems first employed by astronauts who walked on the moon, and continue to be used by astronauts today. Upon completing his PhD program, Dr. Fulcher became vice president of GE subsidiary MATSCO. Retiring from GE in 1980, he spent several years as Manager of Engineering Services at the Analysts/Schlumberger, then returned to the Space Program with McDonnell Douglas/Boeing as a manager in space shuttle operations. Upon retirement from Boeing in 1998, he formed Engineering Support Services Corporation and served as liaison between Goddard and Houston Space Centers in the repair missions for the Hubble Telescope, also participating in astronaut training for those missions.
Clay Fulcher in U.S. Navy uniform.
He held offices in military, professional and civic organizations, including Navy League, Naval Order, The University of Texas at Austin Midshipmen's Foundation, NROTC Alumni Association, The University of Texas at Austin Chancellor's Executive Committee, Rotary and Interfaith Caring Ministries. He was a Paul Harris fellow, a professional engineer, and a five year member of the Clear Creek ISD school board. He was recognized as a distinguished graduate of The University of Texas at Austin College of Engineering, distinguished alum of the Midshipmen Foundation and NROTC Alumni Association and he received the NASA Space Flight Awareness Award and the Astronauts Silver Snoopy Award. The Houston chapter of the Naval Order honored him with the Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz Leadership Award.
As an East Texas timber grower he was recognized for forest stewardship by the Texas Forest Service. A resident of Nassau Bay for 32 years, he served on the incorporation committee for that city, was a private pilot (instrument rated), certified SCUBA diver, and Sunday school teacher, elder and trustee at Taylor Lake Christian Church. He and Ann moved to Belton, Tex. in 2005. He was devoted to the men's Bible Study group at Temple Bible Church and periodically commuted to Johnson Spaceflight Center up until the time of his passing. Clay was truly an officer and a gentleman, always ready with a word of encouragement for others, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Clay Fulcher (right) and wife Ann Arledge (left).
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ann Arledge, four sons and spouses; Clay, Jr./Christina, Huntsville, Ala., Sam/Janie, Temple, Tex., Roy/Becky, Monument, Colo., and Joe/Kayse, Houston, Tex., 11 grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Predeceased by brother Henry, he is also survived by brother Joe/Jane, sister in law Ria June Fulcher, nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts.
Visitation will be in Crockett, Texas at Callaway Allee Funeral Home at 5 o'clock on Thursday, October 20.
Graveside services will be held at Evergreen Memorial Park in Crockett at 2 o'clock on Friday, October 21.
A memorial service will be offered at Taylor Lake Christian Church, 1730 Old Kirby Road, Seabrook, Texas at 2 o'clock on Saturday, October 22.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Salvation Army, Navy SEAL Foundation, or charity of choice are gratefully accepted.
Condolences for Mr. Fulcher may be left at online obituaries:
www.callawayallee.com
Callaway-Allee
Funeral Home
700 East Houston Avenue
Crockett, TX 75835
(936)544-2244
