Gary Lyle Clawson

HYRUM, UTAH: Gary Lyle Clawson, 79, passed away peacefully at his home in Hyrum, Utah, on January 23, 2015, following a short battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Gary was born on May 1, 1935, in Hyrum, Utah, to Lehi and Marvel Clawson. He was the fifth of five children. He was educated in the Cache County School District and graduated from South Cache High School. Gary then served in the South West Indian LDS Mission. He graduated from Utah State University in speech language pathology and audiology and worked for Cache County School District for 27 years while running a dairy operation in Hyrum with his two sons.

Gary has served in numerous civic positions including 12 years on the Hyrum City Council, 25 years on the Hyrum Power Board, president of Hyrum Irrigation Company, president of Porcupine High Line Canal and 12 years on the Utah Dairy Commission. He has received several civic awards including Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Conservation and Outstanding Community Service Award. He was honored as Hyrum City Distinguished Citizen in 2007.

Gary was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in various church positions throughout his life. He has served as high council member, bishop and stake president. He and Dixie served in the Logan Temple presidency with President and Sister Featherstone. They truly loved their association with so many wonderful people during their three years of service. Gary and Dixie served as missionaries in the Palmyra, New York Temple Mission in 2008. He never missed an opportunity to share his testimony of the gospel and his love of the Savior.

Gary and Dixie have traveled to many states and parts of the world but they believe there is no place as wonderful as home surrounded by their family.

Thanks dad for teaching us that hard work and honesty are the norm and that we should always be in the service of our fellow men. Thanks for making everyone you came in contact with feel important, with a handshake and a warm smile, and always reminding us to be kind to others.

You showed us on a daily basis that the most important thing in the world to you is our mother. We will never forget you racing in the kitchen from doing chores, grabbing her in your arms and swinging her around in a big embrace while she laughed and squealed, “Gary, put me down!”

Thanks for teaching us to dance by standing on your shoes and how to bale hay and feed calves and dream big.

We will always remember fun family vacations, holiday parties, family camp trips and gatherings on Sunday night with grilled cheese.

Most important you taught us to love our Heavenly Father through your example of service to others.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Dixie Leishman Clawson of Hyrum, Utah, and his six children, Michael Gary (Barbara) of Hyrum, Utah, Shauna Applegarth (Mark) of Omaha, Nebraska, Maria Nielsen (Clayton) of Hyrum, Utah, Linda Crockett (Craig) of Hyde Park, Utah, Jared Lynn (Tina) of Hyrum, Utah, Latisha Hardy (Chad) of Brigham City, Utah; foster son, Perry (Irene) Wilson, of Crystal, New Mexico; 23 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren and two sisters, Myrna Nielsen and Shirley Ashworth.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Lloyd and Derwood and his grand-daughter Raysha Nielsen.

There will be a viewing held at Allen-Hall Mortuary 34 E. Center Street Logan, Utah, from 6-8 PM on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 and at the Hyrum North Stake Center Wednesday morning from 10:30-11:30 AM. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 12:00 noon at the Hyrum North Stake Center 245 North Apple Dr. (750 East). Interment will be in the Hyrum City Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Dr. Michael J. Stones and Hospice for their loving care. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.allenmortuaries.net