Claiborne (Clay) Carl Rothwell
August 18, 1971 ~ July 18, 2026
Born in: Winner, South Dakota
Resided in: Wichita, Kansas
Claiborne (Clay) Carl Rothwell 54 years old, passed away July 18th,2026
Graveside will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 3, 2026, at Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery at Winfield, 1208 North College Street, Winfield, Kansas 67156. Reception will be from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm, at Pathway Church Westlink, 2001 North Maize Road, Wichita, Kansas 67212.
Clay was born August 18th, 1971, and brought home in the happy arms of his parents, Rob and Barb Rothwell. He became a proud big brother in September of 1973. He loved growing up on the ranch and learning about ecology of the area. He loved getting to know the land, going hunting with Rob and the guys at the Hunting shack. Clay went to Hyannis High School and was very active in school, playing football, basketball, band, chorus, musicals, FFA and 4H. After he graduated in 1989, he went to UNL where he was in a prestigious Men’s Choir where he met some long lifelong friends. Clay felt the calling to serve his country and became a very proud marine in 1993. He was stationed in 29 Palms where he met his first wife Christi and had his first child Brooke. Clay and his family moved to Wichita, Kansas and had his twins, Katie & Christian. In the military as a sergeant, he received many honors. The military gave him education in avionics, which gave him the opportunity of working at Cessna for 25 years. He had just recently medically retired from Cessna. He had met his wife Jody in 2021 who he happily married on November 10, 2023. He cherished spending time with friends enjoying a good cigar and whiskey. He loved going dancing with his wife and talking about old friends and family. After he lost part of his leg, his 2 favorite things to do were educating others about being an amputee and poking fun at himself for being one. We will all miss his smile and his unique personality.
Clay is preceded by his maternal and paternal grandparents; uncles, George Rothwell and Dana Deger.
He is survived by: wife, Jody Rothwell; children, Brooke (Brook Blum) Rothwell, Katie (Daniel Herren) Rothwell, Christian Rothwell; grandson, Alec Herren; parents, Robert & Barbara;Â and sister, Virginia (Steve) Bauers.
Arrangements with Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.
Services
Graveside Service: Monday, August 3, 2026 10:00 am
Kansas Veterans' Cemetery
1208 N. College St.
Winfield, KS 67156
Reception: Monday, August 3, 2026 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Pathway Church
2001 N. Maize Rd.
Wichita, KS 67212
316-722-8020
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Clay was a special guy. I had the honor of teaching him in Kindergarten, first grade, and third grade. They were a special class and I’ve kept in touch with several of them, including Clay. He lived to laugh and to make others laugh with him. He is gone way too soon. My deepest condolences to all of his family.
Those beautiful twinkling blue eyes. Gosh I’ll miss them.
Clay loved big and never forgot the kind and generous (and perhaps those of us who encouraged his silliness) people in his life.
Sooooo many good memories that I will cherish forever.
Love and prayers for your family and all of us whole loved you. You’ll be missed greatly.
Love and our sympathies to Clays family!!
Clay and our sons were close in age so when they were little we would go to the ranch south of Hyannis, where Clay lived with his parents, my first cousin. I remember going out on the hay waggon pulled by those beautiful horses and Clay and Virginia entertained us. Lots of memories for our time when the children were growing up. I was just in Wichita a week before Clay died promising myself that the next time we went through, I would stop and see him; my big regret. I send prayers of comfort and strength to Jody and all the family
I had the honor of working with Clay for quite a few years. Enjoyed listening to his stories about his life and children. Will miss his sense of humor as well.
Thank you for your service sir.
May you soar up in the heavens my friend…