Joseph Clayton “Clay” Fitzpatrick passed away on October 9th, 2024 at his home in Little Rock surrounded by his sons, Slink E. Dinkerton and Kewpie “QP” Witchee. He was born on
September 4, 1981 in Lafayette, Louisiana to Sally and Chris Fitzpatrick.
Clay leaves behind his wife Kara Bibb, his two dogs Slink and QP, his parents Sally and Chris Fitzpatrick of Utica, MS, his sister Lee Ann Fitzpatrick of Abita Springs, LA, his brother Cyman
Blevins of Lake Charles, LA, his best friends Sammy Williams and Jade Howington, both of Little Rock, and an innumerable amount of other friends near and far.
Clay was most known for his humor, quick wit, his friendship, his cooking skills, his vanity license plates, and, of course, his tattoos.
Professionally, he grew a career at Boulevard Bread company under the mentorship of Chef Sonia Schaeffer for five years. He most recently was the food service manager at Youth Home,
where he revitalized the cooking program and taught the kids cooking classes for three years. Clay was a big fan of music and could often be found on the front row supporting local artists.
He loved advocating for local businesses and nonprofit organizations like the Central Arkansas Harm Reduction Project® and Youth Home. A big moment of pride for Clay was being awarded
the Golden Ladle Award for his Butternut Squash Soup representing Youth Home at the annual Soup Sunday benefit for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, an honor that
combined two of his passions. Clay had many changing interests that he was always passionate about sharing, but his passion for tattoo art and tattoo history never wavered. In honor of Clay, 7th Street Tattoo
in Little Rock is generously donating portions of Clay-themed tattoos to Youth Home.
If friends and loved ones would like to do something in his honor, Clay would want you to donate to Youth Home or the Central Arkansas Harm Reduction Project.
Join friends and family for a memorial to honor Clay, share stories, tears, hugs and laughs on
Monday, October 14, 2024 at 4:20pm at White Water Tavern in Little Rock.
“There better be dogs.”
-ATR 9/11/26
Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
9 Comments
The few conversations he and I had were insightful and at a depth unexpected for two guys who just worked together. I wish I had known him better.
For nearly three years, I was lucky enough to work with Clay and witness his passion and his humanity everyday. Sometimes, I worried he care too much because he wanted to solve every problem and make everything right for everyone but that was just his boundless capacity for compassion. There will never be another!
Hey I’m a kid at youth home and I miss him every time he cooked I was very very good may he rest in peace.
My heart breaks over this sweet guy’s passing. For me it was so unexpected. He went to school with my sons and he had the most fun personality. Watching him play basketball in high school was an honor. His delightful fun loving spirit will be sorely missed.
May the Good Lord lift Clay in to his heart and provide ever lasting peace and comfort and bless Kara, Sally, Chris , Lee Ann and all their loved ones.
In this life, no one has to be caring or nice to anyone. When a person goes out of their way to be inclusive and caring for a stranger, it says a lot about that person. Clay was that guy to me. He didn’t know me, but I felt the mutual respect, and kindness from him. I appreciated him for that. I will continue to appreciate him for that for life. Just a good human being, and that’s all anyone can ask of anyone. RIL&Peace Bro🙏🏾💯
I was a past patient at Youth Home, Inc. I will always be grateful for meeting someone like clay, and I will never forget how much he cared for all of us. We used to ask him about his tattoos all the time. He would always listen to us and hear what we had to say about his food, (which was extraordinary). I will never forget his impact on everybody there, and all of his hard work. Rest in peace and love.
Clay was just awesome. I worked with him at Youth Home, and I have never met anyone with a more positive attitude and kind demeanor. He absolutely loved the kids and was an advocate for treating them with respect and providing truly excellent food.
I worked with Clay at Youth Home, and while I didn’t know him well, I saw him always wanting to find ways to make things better for staff and patients. I already miss hearing his voice down the hall, somes talking, but sometimes singing.
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