Cleon Max Kotter

LOGAN, UTAH: Cleon M. Kotter, 87, son of Victor M. and Edna Hammer Kotter, died August 4, 2010 peacefully at home.

Cleon was born at Woodville, Idaho on April 28, 1923. He attended school in Woodville and Shelley, Idaho. He was an active participant in the Future Farmers of America. He also earned his Eagle Scout award. He graduated in 1941 after Pearl Harbor and enlisted in the United States Navy. He became an aviation electronics technician stationed in Hawaii. There he served as leader of the group of LDS servicemen at his navy base.

After World War II, Cleon returned to Hawaii as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Upon returning home, he married Joyce Hyer of Ogden, Utah in the Idaho Falls Temple February 23, 1949. They began farming in Emmett, Idaho.

Cleon decided to pursue a course in journalism at Boise Junior College and completed his BA and MA at Brigham Young University. He served as editor of the Idaho Farm Bureau News and Information Director for the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation. In 1958 he was employed with Utah State University as Agricultural Information Specialist, editor and writer for the Cooperative Extension Service and the Agricultural Experiment Station.

Cleon was recognized for service as chairman of the University’s Extension-Research Information Project, as member of the Extension Staff Training and Development Committee and as information press leader on the Governor’s Water Conservation Committee. Cleon retired from Utah State University in 1984 shortly after his father’s death and he and Joyce moved to Shelley, Idaho to assist his elderly mother. While there he served on the board and then as chairman of the Shelley Library.

His church activity included serving as seventies president, high priest group leader, ward clerk, bishop’s counselor, Sunday School and priesthood teacher and home teacher. He and his wife Joyce served as communication missionaries in the Alabama Birmingham Mission and as employment service missionaries with the Logan LDS Employment Service.

Preceding Cleon in death were his parents, brothers LaMar and Keith, sister Larene (Hook) and son Van. Succeeding him are brothers Verle (Lyla) of Basalt, Idaho and Doyle (Eulalia) of Lilburn, Geogia, sister Doris (Roger Nuttall) of Woodville, Idaho, his wife Joyce, sons Rod (Melanie) of Riverton, Wyoming, Rich (Ronda) of Spanish Fork, Utah, Quade (Ann) of Clearfield, Utah, Dirk of Layton, Utah, Bart (Melissa) of Midway, Utah, daughter-in-law Alice of West Valley City, Utah, 20 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11:00 am in the Crockett Ward Chapel, Lauralin Drive. There will be a viewing Friday evening from 6-8 pm at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center, and at the church on Saturday from 9:30 - 10:30 am. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery with military honors. An online guestbook is at www.allenmortuaries.net