Clay “Big Thunder” Peters passed away Saturday, May 14th, 2011 in Kelowna General Hospital after a congenital aneurysm burst in his brain. Clay, a resident of 100 Mile House since age two, was in Vernon installing carpet in his Uncle Jim’s house when he complained of a headache and then fell unconscious. After a three day battle, Clay, surrounded by his family, suffered a second bleed and didn’t make it. Clay was an organ donor and he went on to help three different recipients receive the gift of life.
Clay was born on August 9th, 1972 in Surrey, B.C. Clay is survived by his parents, Lee and Anni Peters, his sister and brother-in law Lisa and Fana Soro, as well as three beloved nieces, Mimi, Kaly and Nadjema, and his adoring nephew, Zie, whom he spent a lot of time with shooting pucks and batting balls.
Clay was a “Miler for Life”! He spent the best years of his life growing up in Lone Butte. He was a student at Horse Lake Elementary, 100 Mile Junior and was in the graduating class of 1990 at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary. He was everything; he was a little cowboy, although not his first love, and he took many ribbons on his horse Stormy at local gymkhanas, something that annoyed his big sister to no end! Clay played and excelled at ALL sports, hockey and boxing being his true love, and he held the title Canadian Amateur Heavy Weight Champion. He pursued a boxing career throughout most his life and recently had plans to become a coach and mentor to inner-city kids. A documentary about Clay, boxing and addiction was in mid-production at the time of his passing. To view the previews log on to www.cuidadfilms.com click on Productions and see “Clay vs Clay”. It is a compelling story. Clay was a dedicated fisherman, with fishing pole in hand or in a boat on a lake, Clay found his inner peace. He had exciting dreams that were larger than life, perhaps lofty goals that were not necessary to prove anything to anyone except himself. Clay had many loving and caring friends from 100 Mile who he formed life-long bonds with, friends who recognized his big and giving heart. They were friends that counted to Clay - Craig, Freddie, Gary and Brian, Spencer… there were many!
Clay worked for most of his life with his father at Lee’s Custom Floors, a long established local business. He became an accomplished journeyman in the art of tiling and with flooring in general. There are hundreds of bathrooms designed and installed by Clay across this country that could be in any decorating magazine! Clay also lived and worked in Montreal for several years at St Michael’s Mission at the Church of St. John the Evangelist. Clay was in charge of running the Mission kitchen and through the church, Clay had many of his most profound experiences of his life. Clay battled a crack cocaine addiction for many years of his adult life and through sobriety, he found a lot of peace giving back to people in the same situation in the Mission. Although his death was not linked to it, sadly he battled his demons with addiction to the end. We will cherish the memories of Clay Peters, the man, and not the addict. Peace be with you Clay.
There will be two memorial services held for Clay, one in the lower mainland and the other outside 100 Mile House. The first Celebration of Life for Clay will be held Saturday, May 28th, from 1pm to 4pm at the Epiphany Church Hall on 10553 148th Street, Surrey, B.C. Food and refreshments will be shared.
In the summer, the 1st Annual Clay “Big Thunder” Peters Fishing Derby along with a Day of Remembering Clay will be held for all family and friends at the Watch Lake Lodge Guest Ranch on Saturday, July 16th, 2011. The Peters Family will be staying in a lake-front cabin all week from July 10th to 17th and we invite you to book a camping spot through the Lodge at www.watchlake.com and come spend the weekend with us! If you can’t spend the weekend, come spend the day. If you can’t get a spot at the Lodge, there are others near by. It will be a great weekend of reunion in Clay’s honour, rain or shine - no need to fish - but there will be a prize for the “big one”!
For more information:
Anni Peters annipeters@shaw.ca 604.584.7868
Lisa Peters Soro sorolisa@gmail.com 613.552.3566 (text friendly)
Facebook Group Page: In Loving Memory of Clay Peters
Facebook Group Page: 1st Annual Clay “Big Thunder” Peters Fishing Derby
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Stephen Lewis Foundation: http://www.stephenlewisfoundation.org/ways-to-give/give-in-honour-or-in-memory
The Peters family would like to thank all of you who ever gave Clay a reason to laugh his thundering laugh and smile from his heart.
“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe” - Muhammad Ali