The Reverend Francis Clay Seneker was taken into the Eternal Kingdom Friday, December 19, 2025, to receive the fullness of God's Promise of Grace, to all who trust and believe in Him. Clay always felt blessed that his life had consisted of as much variety as it did. He enlisted into the U. S. Army Reserves in 1957, his junior year of high school, prior to the Vietnam conflict, where he received electronic and radio communications training. He later left employment with Water Services in Knoxville TN to report for active duty in the U.S. Army radio school at Ft. Benning, GA in 1964. Clay served as Assistant Scoutmaster at Messiah Lutheran Church in Knoxville for a short period of time. Then, a few years later he served as Scoutmaster at Immanuel Lutheran Church (ELCA), Blountville, TN, his home church. His practice was to be outdoors one weekend a month, rain or shine. Clay served his home church in many ways and ultimately felt the call to ministry. After working for 10 years as a Field Engineer for a business machine company with Burroughs Corporation, Clay continued his education at ETSU in Johnson City TN, earning a BS in Social Work in May 1977. He then completed a 4-year program at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC earning a Master of Divinity degree in May 1981. He was ordained as a minister of the Gospel at his home church, the historic Immanuel Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Blountville, TN on May 31, 1981. Clay received a call to serve at Ascension Lutheran Church (ELCA), Chattanooga TN and began in June 1981. As Pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church (ELCA) as well as a resident, Clay lived a life of service in the community. For many years he coordinated a program with several other local East Ridge churches and the ER Police Department to provide funds for people in need. In 1984 he helped found the Chattanooga Association for Clinical Pastoral Care (CACPC) to provide clinical training for those who minister in hospital or community settings. In 1988 Clay was involved in establishing Chattanooga Endeavors as the first re-entry program to provide solutions to the challenges that individuals face after a felony conviction and help them successfully transition back into their communities. He retired from Ascension in January 2006 after 25 years of service and leadership. He then served part-time at Resurrection Lutheran Church ELCA, Ooltewah TN for 2-3 years during their growth and search for a permanent Pastor. Clay and his wife, Ida, relocated in October 2000 to his present home in Soddy Daisy TN in anticipation of his retirement. After he retired his efforts have been the continuing battle with wild blackberries, tree sprouts and weeds. His continuing joys have been his beloved granddaughter, his family, his friends, his dogs, and his books. Clay was preceded in death in July 2024 by his wife, Ida Mae (Crisp) Seneker, the love of his life for 61 plus years. Also, by his parents, W. Lee & L. Mae Seneker; brothers, Henry M. and James L. Seneker; and several loved dogs. Loved ones left to cherish his memories are daughter, Laura E. Seneker; son, Jason C. Seneker (Carolyn E.); and one beloved granddaughter, Elizabeth A. Seneker (fiancé, Jonah Boykin); sister, Sara J. Johnson; sisters-in-law, Shirley Brown (Jim), Susie Fischer, Virginia Crisp Shipley (John), Mary Ann Crisp; many loved cousins, nieces, nephews, & many special friends; and, Jazzy, his newly adopted rescue dog. Many colleagues and friends will also remember his lifetime of service to the churches he loved. Visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hixson TN, on Saturday, January 3, 2026 from noon until Memorial Service time at 2pm. The family asks that in lieu of flowers a memorial gift may be made to the Humane Educational Society, 4155 Randolph Circle, Chattanooga TN 37406, or any animal rescue; or Trinity Lutheran Church, 5001 Hixson Pike, Hixson TN 37343; or the charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Covenant Funeral & Crematory.