Grant Romney Clawson, a Murray resident who painted portraits of prophets and created artwork for temples and LDS Church buildings, died Sunday, July 10, a few weeks short of his 89th birthday, according to his family.
The 88-year-old artist passed away Sunday night, likely from a heart attack, the family said.
Clawson served as a cook for the military during the Korean War before spending 16 years at KSL-TV. His heart returned to creating art, the passion of his youth, in the late 1950s, according to a 2010 article in the Deseret News.
Over the past five decades, the self-taught artist, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, created hundreds of paintings depicting Jesus Christ, prophets, scriptural scenes and other gospel artwork, often using his loved ones as models. Some of Clawson's art resides inside Latter-day Saint temples and other church-owned buildings around the world, he said in the article.
Some of Clawson's most recognizable original works include "Boy Jesus in the Temple"; "Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream"; and a 66-by-14-foot mural titled "Go Ye Therefore," which is on display in the lobby of the Church Office Building, a family member said in an email.
In the late 1960s, Clawson was commissioned to paint a series of enlarged paintings of Harry Anderson's works depicting the life of Jesus Christ, which hung the North Visitors Center at Temple Square.
In 2010, at age 82, Clawson completed a portrait of LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson.
Outside of his LDS artwork, Clawson preferred Western art.
Clawson leaves behind his wife, six children, 12 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Clawson's funeral services are scheduled to be held at the Ridgecreek Ward building, 5735 Fashion Blvd., Murray, Saturday, July 16, at 11 a.m. A viewing will take place at the same location Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Interment will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
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