Clay County teacher dies from COVID-19

Florida Times-Union | by Emily Bloch | November 16, 2020

A Clay County teacher has died from COVID-19 complications, marking the second death of a district employee in two months.

Tim Clyatt, a computer teacher at Bannerman Learning Center, died Friday, Nov. 13, after a week in the hospital. He was an educator for nearly 20 years. The Fleming Island resident was 59. 

“Clay County District Schools is deeply saddened by the passing of Tim Clyatt, a veteran teacher at Bannerman Learning Center,” a statement from the school district said. “The District extends its sincerest condolences to Tim Clyatt’s family, friends, and coworkers … He made a difference in the lives of many students during his teaching career.” 

On Facebook, tributes began pouring in from friends and colleagues. 

“Tim was a great teacher, mentor and God fearing man that everybody loved,” one comment said. “He was a great listener and a wise soul.” 

Another friend said Clyatt was a few years away from retiring and looked forward to traveling and spending time with family. They also voiced their frustrations with people not wearing masks and the school districts’ lack of transparency about COVID-19 cases. 

The Clay County School District has reported 11 student COVID-19 cases and 10 staff cases as of Nov. 9. The district’s website records new cases weekly, but has not posted last week’s numbers as of Monday afternoon. Additionally, it does not list school-related deaths. 

Before Clyatt, a Clay County school bus driver, Gail Brusseau, died from COVID-19 in October. Brusseau, who had been driving school busses for 26-years, planned to retire later this year. 

A graveside service for Clyatt is scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Jacksonville Memory Gardens (11 Blanding Boulevard, Orange Park). No additional information was immediately available. 

“We’ll miss our friend,” a Facebook comment said. “His students will miss him. And we are a lesser place without him.”