Roll Call Tribute

Clayton James "Clay" Morris, DVM 

March 4, 1975 - June 21, 2025 

Dr. Clayton James Morris of Denison, Texas passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the age of 50. He was born in Austin, Texas on March 4th, 1975, to Tim and Margie Morris. Clay was a 1993 graduate of Sherman High School and went on to graduate with high honors in 1996 from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. After earning a Bachelor of Science in biology and minor in chemistry, he then went on to earn his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 from Texas A&M University.

Clay is survived by his wife, Stacey Morris, and son, Caleb, and daughter, Paige, of Denison, his parents Tim and Margie Morris of Sherman, his sister, Kimberly McDaniel and husband, Kyle, of Melissa, his brother, Grant Morris and wife, Jamie, of McKinney, and numerous nieces and nephews: Jaden, Jamison, and Jett Adams; Carson, Tinsley, and Anniston Fountain; Matthew and Chase McDaniel; and Presleigh and Phoenix Morris. He was preceded in death by grandparents Newell Morris, Robert Porter, Mayme Porter, and Naomi Hurley. And, of course, many of his four-legged friends.

Clay was a beloved local vet for the last 25 years at Brakebill Veterinary Hospital in Sherman, Texas. He worked under the tutelage and guidance of Dr. John and Danny Brakebill for several years before acquiring the practice. The fondness and adoration he had for the Brakebill staff, as well as his furry clients and their families, was palpable. Clay's passion and love of caring for animals likely began at the young age of four, when he woke up one Christmas morning to his first puppy, Woodsy. Throughout his childhood and into his teenage years that passion never waned, and his love for the profession grew stronger with each precious pet and passing year.

Anyone who knew Clay or was fortunate enough to have even a momentary interaction with him could tell you just how wicked smart he was. Not only could he throw a mean stitch in a surgery through years of practice as a vet, he also taught himself how to do a variety of things, many of which became his hobbies. He had an affinity for woodworking which he used to restore his first historic home and made many works of art such as boxes, tables, screen doors, and birdhouses...and was partial to dovetail joints. As a teenager, he even made his own wooden half-pipe to live out his skateboarding dreams, which quickly came crashing down after a broken arm. In his later years, he decided to switch to less perilous activities such as golf and yoga. His voracious reading habit lended itself to everything from diesel engine metrics to Jimmy Buffet, but also included good 'ol paper maps, because while Clay was an exceptional Boy Scout in his youth and an overall brainiac in general, his sense of direction was just about the one thing that never really took hold. Clay was also an avid outdoorsman. He loved camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, and often rose very early in the morning to get in a quick walk or jog around Hagerman park.

A devoted family man, he would frequently join his family in their many outdoor adventures, as well - Stacey's love of wildlife photography and camping, Caleb's joy of running and soccer, and Paige's shared passion for building and gardening and a burgeoning love of tennis, a penchant of Clay's since childhood when he played on the SHS tennis team and taught tennis at Four Seasons Tennis Club.

Please join us in a Celebration of Life to be held at Austin College's Wynne Chapel on Monday, June 30th, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. with a reception to follow at Mabee Hall in the Wright Center. Arrangements are under the direction of Dannel Funeral Home.