Spruce Pine- Clay Hyde Gatewood, 74, died Saturday, April 4, 2026, at home in his garden. Born Sept. 27, 1951, in New York City, Clay was the first child of Eugene and Audrey Gatewood.
He graduated from Myers Park High School in Charlotte in 1969 and from Davidson College in North Carolina in 1973.
He was inspired to spend all four seasons one year in a beloved family cabin in the mountains outside Spruce Pine, a special place he visited many times throughout his life. In 1975 he enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, studying architecture. He lived in several places including Kentucky and Tennessee working at architectural firms before moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1988 to study sustainable architecture at the University of New Mexico. Over a three decade career, he flourished in Albuquerque as an architect and planner.
He worked as a licensed architect at several local firms and was an active member of the AIA, especially passionate about sustainability and historic preservation. Additionally, he worked for many years at UNM Hospitals as a Facilities Planning Director and with the City of Albuquerque Planning Department. During his career he contributed towards many amazing projects including the Bill and Barbara Richardson Pavilion hospital building, Albuquerque High Lofts, Portales Library, numerous UNMH outpatient health clinics and much more.
He also lent his professional expertise to friends and family, assisting with home designs and plans and helping produce some incredible residences.
His passion was always design and his own homes and properties reflect his talent. He also took incredible photography over the years while exploring the mountains and deserts of the Southwest.
Clay helped raise two sons and a stepson and loved being a grandpa. In his retirement years he enjoyed living a peaceful life spending most mornings and afternoons in his gardens and yards, tending to and taking beautiful pictures of lovely lively flowers.