Clay McBride

Clay McBride, 53, of La Crescenta, Calif., formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Sunday, June 24, 2012, following an extended illness.

He was born Sept. 17, 1958, in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., to Cedric and Erica McBride. He was married to Madeleine Tormey on Dec. 21, 1993, at First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau.

Clay graduated from Central High School in 1976, and attended Southeast Missouri State University. He graduated with a bachelor of arts from Columbia College in Los Angeles.

He wrote movie and short story scripts. He also was a freelance writer contributing to numerous publications. He was known for his passion for film, interest in martial arts and love of music. Clay was a voracious reader, well versed in current events, politics and literature. In 1990 Clay was recognized by the city of Los Angeles for his establishment of a crime reduction program in the Ivar neighborhood.

He is survived by his wife, Madeleine; a son, Ian of La Crescenta; his mother, Erica McBride of Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Janet (Rob) Rueseler of Cape Girardeau, Grace McBride of Holts Summit, Mo.; a niece, Mesha Aroutsidis of New South Wales, Australia; and a nephew, Lance Cpl. Eric Rueseler of Camp Pendleton, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his father, Cedric McBride; and a brother, Ian McBride.

A celebration of Clay's life will be held today at the family home.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the ASPCA, the Humane Society or Doctors Without Borders.

Online condolences may be made at crippenmortuary.frontrunnerpro.com.

Announcement courtesy of Ford and Sons Funeral Home.