Lester Levern Clarke

Lester L. Clarke Jr.

Tropic, Utah

Lester La vern Clarke, Jr., 91, passed away January 11, 2016; in Tropic, UT. He was born February 28, 1924, in Rexburg, ID to Lester Lavern and Bertha Henderson Clarke. He married Vertis Pollock, May 11, 1946. The marriage was solemnized January 18, 1947, in the St. George Temple.

Lester is survived by his wife, Vertis, Tropic; children: Dian (Sherrill) Lamb, Vernal, UT; Richard (Judy) Clarke, Riverton, UT; Wesley (Ellen) Clarke, Tropic, UT; Karen (Merrill) Willis, Chubbuck, ID; April (Rick) Evans, Rexburg, ID; Ivan (Tori) Clarke, Salem, UT; 35 grandchildren, 88 great-grandchildren (with 4 more on the way) and 1 great-great-grandson; sister, Ethel (LaMar) LeFevre, Las Vegas, NV; sister-in-law; Erma Clarke, Enoch, UT.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Sam Graff; siblings: William Clarke, John Clarke, Margene Clarke Moore, Michael "Jim" Clarke, Allen Clarke, Kathleen Clarke Pollock; granddaughter, Katherine Lamb; great-grandchildren: Tyler Durrant, Leyna Leech and Donaven Clarke.

Lester was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served faithfully in numerous church callings. He served in the Tropic Ward bishopric, was on the Escalante stake high council. He is especially remembered for his diligent service as a home teacher.

Lester spent most of his growing up years in Cannonville, UT. During those years he spent time herding sheep with his uncle Jasper Henderson. He learned many important life lessons from these experiences. Following his graduation from high school, he attended welding school. He worked as a welder in the California shipyards during World War II. Following World War II he met his sweetheart, they were soon married and began their family.

Lester spent many years working as a saw filer in sawmills in Panguitch and Escalante. During these years, he also enjoyed farming and ranching.

As a father, he was a man of few words; but a great teacher through his example. He was always patient, kind and soft spoken. His family knew he loved them unconditionally. He loved spending time with his family. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading and his grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held　Saturday, January 16, 2016, at 1:00 p.m.　in the Tropic Ward Chapel. Friends may call Friday　from　6-8 p.m.　and　Saturday　11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.　Burial will be in the Tropic Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.