Dwain Ray Clark

Dwain Ray Clark, 88, passed away on July 28, 2016 in Coalville, Utah. Dwain was born November 22, 1927 to Ray and Ceneth Bisel Clark at home in Coalville, Utah. He was their second child, oldest son. His mother died when he was eight, and he was raised by his stepmother, Boletta Lythgoe Clark. He lived the majority of his life in Coalville. He was raised on a farm and learned a strong work ethic through the farm and hauling coal before school each morning at a young age. He graduated from North Summit High School in 1946, but wasn’t present for the graduation ceremony. He enlisted in the Navy in July 1945, towards the end of World War II. He never served in the war, however, as the war ended in August 1945 and Dwain entered boot camp in February 1946. After boot camp, he was sent to the Philippines. He was discharged in July 1946. He attended Utah State University for three years on GI bill and became a mechanic. In 1952 he received greetings from Uncle Sam drafting him into the Marines for the Korean War. During this time, while stationed in Opa Locka, Florida, he met Ursula Jean Hemrick and they were married August 1, 1953 in Miami. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on September 15, 1954. One week after they were married, he was sent to Japan. He was discharged in March 1954 and returned to Miami to get Jean. After moving back and forth between Coalville and Miami a couple of times, they settled permanently in Coalville in September 1956.

In Miami, he worked for American Airmotive assembling aircraft engines. After moving back to Coalville, he worked for Brown Equipment and then Devil’s Slide Ideal Cement Company as a heavy-duty mechanic and later as a journeyman electrician. He retired from the cement plant in February 1990. Every fall for 20+ years he worked at the Utah State Fair, even scheduling vacation time to do so, a time he looked forward to every year. Upon retirement he was a substitute school bus driver and also drove the special-needs van; delivered gas/fuel to customers for Bell’s Gas; enjoyed an occasional long-haul truck trip with his son, Kyle; drove the Sr. Citizen’s bus; and was a volunteer driver for senior citizens needing rides to doctors appointments. As side jobs throughout his life he ran the movies at Loma Theater in Coalville when needed, drove the after-school and late-run school bus until his employment hours no longer allowed him to, delivered Deseret News papers in Hoytsville, and leased his brother’s farm giving his own children the experience of being raised on a farm.

He was an active member of the Coalville 2 nd Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as Ward Clerk, Financial Clerk, High Priest Group Leader, as well as other callings in his Ward. He always had a great love for his country and community serving not only in the military, but also on the Summit County Sherif’s Patrol as a Reserve Deputy and Search and Rescue; Utah Civil Air Patrol; and American Legion. He taught Hunter Safety classes for several years in his home and was the Merit Badge counselor for Rifle Shooting and Aviation for many years. He was given the Sharpshooter distinction in the military and could out-shoot anyone until his later years.

He had many hobbies which included eating chocolate, being a mechanic on the side, private pilot, motorcycles, reading, learning, and electronic gadgets. He enjoyed sharing his life experiences at every opportunity.

He and Jean were blessed with five children: Dianne, Lizette, Kyle, Nora, and Eric. He is survived by his wife, Jean; his children: Dianne (Ted) Keyes; Lizette Dutson; Nora Clark; and Eric (Vicki) Clark; 11 grandchildren; 6 grandchildren-in-law; and 12 great-grandchildren; sisters, Sonia Nelson, Ann Aleen Bird; and brother, Larry Clark. He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Kyle; son-in-law, David Dutson; great-granddaughter, Harper Keyes; sisters, Superla Staley, Beth Hanson, Eloise Spendlove, and Beverly Clark; and brother, LaMond Clark.

Special thanks to Symbii Hospice, especially Kathy, Melanie, Elsie, Ashley, Janessa, and Tarra for the great care they gave Dad.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 2 at 12:00 noon at the Hoytsville Ward building, 1095 S. Hoytsville Rd.. Viewings will be held at the Hoytsville Ward building on Monday, August 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, August 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. prior to the funeral. Interment will be at the Coalville City Cemetery with military honors