Obituary: H. Clyde Davis

H. Clyde Davis 1922 ~ 2006 Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, H. Clyde Davis, passed away Saturday, April 15, 2006 at home of a heart attack. His life centered around the Savior, his family and service to others. He was born May 23, 1922 in Salem, Utah to Ray and Mary Elizabeth Christensen Davis and grew up on a 100-acre farm. He was the Jr. High salutatorian, junior class president, Boy's State representative and a seminary officer. He honorably served in the Northern States Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and married the love of his life, AnnaBelle Rust in the Salt Lake Temple on May 29, 1944. Clyde served in the Army during World War II. Graduating from BYU in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in Geology and a minor in Chemistry, Clyde was hired by the Church Education System to be a seminary teacher and institute director in Price, building the program from 15 graduates the first year, to 35 the next, and 131 the third year. In April, 1952, he received his master's degree in Economic Geology, working two years for the Atomic Energy Commission. He was beloved by hundreds of students at the University of Arizona from 1954-66, as an Institute Director and also as the Bishop of the singles ward, successfully helping them find eternal mates to then become members of the married ward. Clyde was honored for service as president of a pastor's group consisting of ten denominations for five out of 13 years, community and service awards as a minister, a consultant, a colleague and as a student, and given awards from the student religion council, the Forum Committee, and the Hillel Foundation recognizing Clyde as the only individual outside their Jewish faith to have been so honored. In 1966, Clyde began working at BYU in the Development Office, and teaching Religion and Engineering in Geology. In 1979, he was asked by the US Department of Interior to serve as a member of the Exploration Peer Review Panel. He traveled to Europe, Cancun, Guatemala, and throughout the US, plus Mexico, New Zealand, Managua, Nicaragua, and Canada while looking at properties for his work. He purchased many businesses, including Orange Julius stores, to help teach his children to work. He loved geology and minerals, and cheering for BYU. Never truly retiring, he only continued juggling countless projects at any given time, rendering tender, loving care to his wife this past year. Devoted service in church callings included teaching all auxiliaries, and serving as president of the Sunday School and YM, High Priest Group Leader, MTC Branch President and Temple worker, and as a member of multiple High Councils and BYU Stake Presidencies. Community service includes the Boy Scouts, on the Foundation Board at UVSC, director of the Red Cross, American Institute of Professional Geologists, and on the American Indian Foundation Board. He enjoyed several social groups include the Lion's, Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs, Sons of the Utah Pioneers, and the Silver Slippers dancing club. He is survived by his wife, AnnaBelle; six children: Rod (Cheree), Highland, Wade (Valarie), Provo, Steve (Karen), Moberly, Missouri, Doug (Susan), Salt Lake City, Cindy (Reed) Robison, and Becky Allison, Heber; 28 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one sister and two brothers: Florence Valgardson Provo, Leland, Salt Lake City, and Kent, Lehi. Preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Mary and his brothers, Carlos, Chester and Harry. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 20, at 11 am in the Rock Canyon building, 2445 North 650 East, Provo, Utah under the direction of Berg Mortuary of Provo, Utah. Friends may call at a viewing at the church on Wednesday, April 19, 6 - 8 pm or Thurs., April 20, from 9:30-10:45 am, prior to the service. Burial will be in the East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery at 4800 North 650 East, Provo. He wore his heart out in the loving service of his fellow man.