H. Clay Messenger

H. Clay Messenger, Jr., M.D., 86, of Oakwood, a retired orthopedic surgeon, died August 9 at Miami Valley Hospital. Dr. Messenger was born May 14, 1919 to Dr. Harold Clay and Nell Fairbanks Messenger of Xenia, Ohio. He was the grandson of Dr. and Mrs. A. C. Messenger also of Xenia. He graduated from Xenia Central High School in 1937, where he played varsity basketball under the late Tom Blackburn. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1941 and the University of Rochester Medical School in 1944. After completing his internship at Duke University Hospital in 1945, he went on active duty for two years in the US Navy as a Lieutenant at Oakland and Philadelphia Naval Hospitals, and in 1945, in the Philippines. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. In 1951, he established private practice in Dayton. Dr. Messenger was on the staff at Miami Valley Hospital for 35 years and was also affiliated with Good Samaritan and Kettering Hospitals. He was on the staff at Barney Convalescent Hospital (now The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton). He held regular children’s clinics for the better part of his career. After retiring in 1986, he was a consultant to MVH’s MedWork until 2001. Dr. Messenger was a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and a member of Dayton, Tri-State, and Mid-American Orthopedic Societies. He was an Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at Wright State University Medical School. In 1994, he received a Certificate of Merit from the Ohio State Medical Association commemorating 50 years of medical practice. He held volunteer positions on the Board of Goodwill Industries of Dayton and the Canterbury Court Episcopal Retirement Homes. He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. During retirement, he was a clarinetist with the Kettering Civic Band. In addition to his parents, Dr. Messenger was preceded in death by his son-in-law Robert S. Tolles, Jr., of Oakwood. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Myra Maben Messenger and their three children: Margaret M. Messenger, of Alexandria, VA; Joan M. Tolles, of Oakwood; Harold C. (“Terry”) Messenger III, of Alexandria, VA, and daughter-in-law Laura Karl Messenger; grandchildren Sarah, Rebecca, and James Tolles, Christina and Alicia Messenger; and brother Richard Messenger of Bethany Lutheran Village. Private burial will be at Woodland Cemetery in Xenia on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Miami Valley Hospital Foundation, 31 Wyoming St., Dayton, OH 45409, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements in care of Routsong Funeral Home.

Funeral Home:
Oakwood Routsong Funeral Home
6 Oakwood Ave.
Oakwood, OH
US 45409