Joseph E. “Jody” Clary, Jr., 73, of Utica, passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at his home. He was born October 23, 1952 in Daviess County to the late Joseph E. Clary and Glenda “Jackie” Maxwell Spence. Jody retired from Alcoa in 2016. He was the lead instructor for the Commonwealth of Kentucky Search and Rescue, where he wrote the standard for the State of Kentucky. He was involved in a lot of high-profile search and rescue cases. Jody enjoyed riding motorcycles and fast cars. He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, cooking, and traveling. But most of all, Jody loved spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings, Sandi Roberts, Janie Calamia, and Kenny Ray Clary; and two grandchildren, Corissa and Andrea.
He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Judy Myers Nantz Clary; son, Brent Clary (Elizabeth); daughters, Stacy Tindall (Ryan) and Stephanie Ranburger (Lee); stepdaughter, Shellie Howard (Rich); stepsons, Daymon Nantz, Bobby Stone (Lynn), and “Bamm Bamm” Stone (Melanie); eight grandchildren, Scarlett, Chelsey, Morgan, Gracy, Allen, Ryan, RayAnne, and Lily; four great-grandchildren, Evander, Eleanor, Violett, and Max; brother, Billy Clary; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026 at James H. Davis Funeral Home and Crematory. Visitation is from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home.