When reflecting on his years employed by the Church, Clay shared the following:

Having served in the Church from 1969 to 1976 and from 1980 to 1995, it was a dream come true to be asked to join the media team once again in 2003. I spent the first two years focused primarily on the Sermon Disk Program, camp videos, audio/visual support for the General Conference of Elders, an Ambassador Bible College video, Feast of Tabernacles videos which included international travel, video graphics and special assignment productions as needs arose. In 2005, I was very excited when our Church administration proposed and the Council of Elders approved a weekly TV program with three presenters, eventually naming it Beyond Today. The Beyond Today program consumed most of my media time until I retired.

Another blessing for our Church and for me personally has been to have other employees added over the years to help support the growing needs of video and graphic productions. We worked well together, each contributing his unique talents, background and broad experience. I considered this close relationship with my fellow employees more like family than coworkers. I’ve always considered it a great blessing to have a job that connects so deeply with my core beliefs and spiritual passions.

The media team, who worked closely with Clay, shared some comments:

Clint Porter: “How do you win multiple Emmys? I’ve met many people who presented themselves as video experts, but whose work was frankly mediocre and stagnant. Clay is strikingly different. He taught me to view the world with child-like curiosity. He never decided he knows it all, so he never stops learning.”

Rudy Rangel: “I have always appreciated Clay’s perspective. He helped shape us as video professionals, and he did it with gentleness and encouragement. He was very dutiful—if he had a deadline, he was pounding away. He had a strong work ethic. I am so glad we got to work together in our open workspace and that I really got to know him. I am grateful to have spent the last 11 years working with Clay. It was truly a blessing.”

Jamie Schreiber: “We filmed many Bible reenactments in the early years and he was always very encouraging of my work. I tended to show Clay early cuts of the UCG short films because he always gave an honest opinion on what was working and what wasn’t. It’s been a pleasure serving beside him these last 12 years.”

Media and Communications Services Operation Manager Peter Eddington recalls making the first phone calls to encourage Clay to move to Cincinnati to fill the role of Senior Video Producer and Editor at the Church’s home office. “It was a big move for the Thorntons, and we were so thrilled when Clay agreed to accept the position and relocate from Southern California to Ohio. He is a very accomplished, Emmy-award winning video editor and producer. Clay brought his skills to bear in hundreds of our video productions for his 18 years with us in Cincinnati. He left big shoes for our other video editors to fill, and he will be greatly missed around the office. But we are thankful he and Stephana will still be in the area, and wish them all the best as Clay transitions into his retirement years.”

Looking ahead, Clay shared: “During retirement, my wife Stephana and I look forward to spending time with friends and family, and limited travel. Personally, I desire to spend more time practicing guitar, learning piano, reading and painting— primarily in oil and watercolor. I always enjoyed the freedom of exploring new things in my youth and see my retirement years continuing the adventure.”