Laramie Mourns Clay Evan McDonald, 40; Service Feb. 21

A service for Clay Evan McDonald is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 21, at St. Paul’s Newman Center in Laramie, funeral home postings show. Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home lists McDonald as a longtime Laramie resident who died on December 20, 2025; Legacy.com carries an aggregated listing showing the 1985-2025 year span and age 40.

Montgomery-Stryker’s obituary records that “Clay Evan McDonald, son of Leland and Susan McDonald, was born on June 11, 1985 in Casper, Wyoming. He died on December 20, 2025.” The funeral-home text says he grew up at Wyoming Game & Fish hatcheries in Clark, Story and Como Bluff before the family moved to Laramie, and that he attended school in those locations.

McDonald began his trades career in Laramie, apprenticing with Gary’s Plumbing Company and earning his Journeyman License while working locally. He later worked in construction for Elk Ridge Builders before relocating to Denver, where he earned a Master Plumber’s License and served as Construction Manager of HVAC, Plumbing and Heating for Breakthrough Contractors, according to the obituary.

The funeral-home listing notes personal ties in Denver as well as Laramie: “He enjoyed great camaraderie with his Denver housemates and was known for his advanced skillset in both plumbing and construction.” Survivors named in Montgomery-Stryker’s posting include his parents, Leland and Susan McDonald, and his sister, Kelly McDonald, along with “many aunts, uncles, and cousins” living in Colorado, Texas, Washington state, and Maine. The obituary materials do not list a spouse, children, or partner.

Montgomery-Stryker states that “Inurnment will occur at the Norcross Family Cemetery in Esterbrook, Wyoming at a later date.” The funeral-home page and Legacy.com both encourage condolences online; Montgomery-Stryker’s site shows “Condolences (4)” and includes a message from Roy Martin and a posted note reading, “So sorry to hear of Clay's unexpected passing. We hope you find comfort in fond memories, continuing traditions, and in the peacefulness of the Esterbrook environs.” Legacy’s aggregated page offers a guest book, gallery and advice-and-support resources for those leaving messages.

The obituary directs memorial gifts to local organizations: “Donations may be made in Clay’s honor to the Laramie Soup Kitchen, Family Promise, and the Downtown Clinic.” Montgomery-Stryker and the Legacy listing (which references the Laramie Boomerang) are the sources of the published service details, and the funeral home’s full obituary is available through its online posting.