Clay Martin Croker was born to Marion Winchell Croker (1924-2004) and Ouida Thelma Martin (1925-2017). He demonstrated a remarkable talent for drawing from a very young age, and his early fascination with dinosaurs, Godzilla, Gamera, Ultraman, and comic book characters laid the foundation for his future artistic endeavors.
As a child, Clay would recite Tex Avery and Chuck Jones cartoons verbatim, showcasing his impressive vocal range by providing all the accompanying voices with remarkable accuracy. This early interest in animation was a precursor to his later success in the field.
During his teenage years, Clay was part of a group of artists and dreamers in the metro Atlanta area who would spend late nights in graveyards making home movies or passing a sketchbook around, each contributing their own art to what they called "the strip." This unique collective of creatives went on to pursue successful careers in art, production, and music.
Clay's first animation gig was creating the Confederate soldiers carved on the side of Georgia's Stone Mountain, which galloped away as the grand finale of the summer laser light show. He humorously joked that many were relieved to see them depart.
He went on to animate numerous national TV commercials and played a pivotal role in shaping Cartoon Network's Adult Swim with the success of Space Ghost Coast to Coast. Clay not only provided the animation but also voiced Zorak and Moltar, which led to the development of the Brak Show and Toonami, for which he also provided voices and animation.
Later, Clay animated Aqua Teen Hunger Force and was heavily involved in the creation of the main characters, Frylock, Master Shake, and Meatwad. He also voiced Dr. Weird, Steve, and various characters. For a brief period, he showcased his collection of vintage cartoons at the Plaza Theatre, Atlanta's most popular indie movie house, for the Bizarro Saturday Morning show.
Clay became a beloved fixture at comic conventions and expos, always humbled and flattered by the love and adoration of his fans. Tragically, he passed away at his home on September 17, 2016, leaving behind a legacy that will not soon be repeated, as well as a vast collection of personal art, priceless movie memorabilia, and a trail of brokenhearted friends and colleagues.
