Harlan Clayton

Harlan W. Clayton, 77, life-time resident of Ucon, returned to his heavenly home on April 26, 2016, surrounded by family. Harlan was born July 21, 1938, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Wilford Henton Clayton and Harriet Anna Hill. The fifth child of a family of nine, he began his schooling in Ucon and graduated from Bonneville High School in 1956. He served in the Swiss-Austrian Mission from 1958-1961 for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Harlan married his sweetheart, Dorothy Richardson, June 15, 1962, in the Idaho Falls Temple. He graduated from Utah State with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and moved his family to Michigan to work for General Motors. In 1967 he returned home to Ucon to buy the family business, Clayton Coal & Grain, partnering with his youngest brother, Larry. Together they built Clayton's Inc., a trucking business providing lumber, coal and grain to many customers for 29 years. After retiring from his business, he enjoyed transporting vehicles, especially with his own truck and trailer. Harlan was active in the LDS church all his life, serving in ward and stake positions, including Bishop and Stake President. He often talked about the youth he taught in Sunday School, whom he loved and adored, year after year. He found joy in hunting, camping, fishing, and snowmobiling with his family and friends. Harlan traveled and loved visiting his Chinese "grandchildren." At home, he could be found caring for his yard and loving the people who surrounded him. He had a gift for telling stories and making all feel welcome. His grandchildren knew he had an endless supply of donuts and chocolate milk. For several years, he helped with the Idaho Special Olympics accompanied by his special son, "Buzz." Survivors include his five daughters: Beth (Kerwyn) Smith, Vancouver, WA, Kelly (Kyle) Young, Bluffdale, UT, Renae (Jeff) Bliss, Lehi, UT, Valerie (Brandon) Lance, Blackfoot, ID, Kimberly (Jedd) Hill, Herriman, UT and his precious son, Gregory H. Clayton; 24 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Three brothers also survive him: Dale (Beverly), Dennis (Sharron), and Larry (Bonnie), and two sisters, Betty Tracy and Deanna (Brad) Frank. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy on November 4, 2001, his parents, Wilford and Harriet, a brother, Kenneth, and two sisters, Arlene and Harriet. Funeral Services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 30th, 2016, at the Ucon LDS Stake Center, 2967 East 105th North, by Bishop Justin Pugmire, with President Bart Davis presiding. The family will meet with friends from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Friday at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, Idaho Falls, and for one hour prior to services Saturday at the church. Interment will be in the Ucon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to contribute to: The Hospice Home ( http://hospiceofeasternidaho.com/donate/ ) or The General Missionary Fund (https://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/missionary.html). Special thanks to the staffs of Promontory Point, The Hospice Home, and the Monument Ward.

Funeral Services will be held