Obituary: Homer Clifford Whitlock

Homer Clifford Whitlock Gone Huntin' and Fishin' Homer Clifford Whitlock beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great great-grandfather, broter, uncle, and friend, age 87, "the great hunter," left this life to spend eternity hunting rocks, animals, and fish, with his sweetheart, Ruby. He passed away February 17, 2006 at the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah while surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Evanston, Wyoming October 27, 1918 as the second eldest child to Warren Clifford Whitlock and Matilda Laurene Hansen. Most of his life has been spent living in parts of Utah and California. He was married and was sealed for time and all eternity to Ruby Elizabeth Denison May 19, 1938, Manti, Utah in the Manti LDS Temple. They are the parents of seven children. Early in his married life he was a foreman on a turkey ranch with 70,000 turkeys. The family relocated to Southern California where he was employed in the aircraft industry before being drafted into the Army. He did his basic train-ing at Camp Roberts. After his discharge he went to work for the D&RGW Railroad as a cook and a carpenter. He went to work for the US Mine in Bingham Canyon. He was a miner and a timber man at the US Mine in Bingham Canyon and Lark, Utah. He was the Founder and Treasurer of Bingham Underground Credit Union. He was secretary for the United Mine Workers. He served on mine rescue. He was in charge of exploration for minerals for Skyline Oil Company. He herded turkeys for James L. Knight. He was a Yard Foreman for Monsey's Iron and Metal and then for Proler Steel near Copperton for many years. He was also a truck driver for the US Mine. He was a plant manager for Standard Builders. He was a foreman for Ray Davis/Hunter Pigs. He was a Scoutmaster of Troop 114 in Lark from 1951 to 1953. He took his troop to Farmers Lake in the High Uintas twice. He was a first assistant in a High Priest Group, was also a first counselor in an Elders Quorum. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo, Illinois and was engaged in Nauvoo as a blacksmith and a wheelwright, and was also engaged in genealogical service in Salt Lake City, Utah. He has helped with the home teaching program and was a Sunday School teacher for the youth with his wife. He was also a teacher for genealogy with his wife. He was a Field Trip Leader for Wasatch Gem Club and Mineralogical Society of Utah (MSU). He was in charge of setup for MSU and wrote many articles for the Wasatch Gem Club monthly journal. He was chairman for the silent auction and education table. He was also a judge for the competition show for MSU. He was part of the Draper/Crescent Senior Center and served as the computer expert, an exercise instructor for the elderly and as a president for the Senior Center. He received many awards for his assistance and skills with the computer. He stated many times, "You're never too old to learn the computer." He was given an award September 9, 2005 from the State of Utah for having the most family/grandchildren in the state. Homer's favorite thing to do was make and give jewelry to his family and friends. Homer is survived by six children, Homer El Ray Whitlock (Adele) of Casper, Wyoming; Anna Marie Whit-lock of Sandy; Howard Denison Whit-lock of Magna; Betty Therolyn Whit-lock of Bluffdale; Robert Charles Whitlock (Celeste) of Riverton; and Shanna L. Blackburn (Ren) of Sandy, Utah; 67 grandchildren; 75 great-grandchildren; seven great great-grandchildren. Homer is also survived by one sister, Unice McCurdy of Anchorage, Alaska; sister-in-law, Mae Dennison of Kearns, Utah; brother-in-law, Ernest Denison (Ola) of San Angelo, Texas; and many loving nieces and nephews, and their families along with a community of friends. He is preceded in death by his wife; his parents; a sister; and three brothers; and by his son, Warren William Whitlock; and grandson, Daniel Sateki Lao. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2006 at 12 noon in the Crescent 19th Ward, 1035 East 10600 South, Sandy Utah. A Family Night will be held Sunday evening, Feb. 19, 2006 from 6-8 p.m. and a public viewing will be held Monday, Feb. 20, 2006 from 6-8 p.m. Both evening visitations will be at the Lar-kin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy Utah and Tuesday one hour prior to the services at the ward. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.larkinmortuary.com Homer's wish for his family and friends would be "Be happy, ya' did what ya' could, continue to make everyone happy. We love you all." Thanks to the staff at Alta View and LDS Hospitals.