Nancy (Taylor) Clawson

Nancy Clawson, 82, of Ammon, passed away September 27, 2019, at Turtle & Crane Assisted Living Center. Nancy was born November 10, 1936, in Grant, Idaho, to Wells Demont Taylor and Thelma Grow Taylor.  She grew up with her three brothers: Demont, Paul, and Rawley.  She enjoyed playing outside, swimming in the canal in the summer, and ice skating on the canal in the winter. Her dad owned the Grant Store and she liked working in the store and having access to all the candy and goodies she could get her hands on. Nancy graduated from Rigby High School in 1955 and moved to Salt Lake City where she attended Henager Business College. On October 28, 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, Ronald Leo Clawson, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Ron joined the Navy and they began their journey out of Idaho living in California, Virginia, and Hawaii. They were initially stationed in San Diego, California, for 7 years. There, Nancy worked several different jobs including bookkeeping, working for a paint company, an aircraft company, a bank, and the San Diego Yacht Club. In 1961, they had an opportunity to be stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and did a 1-year tour there. In 1962, they returned to San Diego and adopted their first child, Tom. Nancy was a busy mother and housewife, and in 1965, they adopted their second child, a daughter, Leslie. Ron climbed up the ladder fast in his rank, so their lives became easier each year and Nancy was fortunate to not have to work when her children were young. Leslie was just a baby when they moved back to Hawaii where Nancy loved being active in church, doing crafts, taking hula lessons, and working in the yard full of tropical plants and trees.

In 1968, they moved to Washington DC where Ron worked for Naval Intelligence and Nancy worked at a department store and for an insurance company. They enjoyed seeing all the sights in the DC area and living in the eastern US. After three years in Washington DC, they returned to San Diego where Ron attended college and finished out his Navy career.

Nancy loved being a mom and remained active as her two children grew up in the San Diego area. She worked part time at the San Diego Country Club and as a teacher’s aide at a local elementary school. They purchased a home in the country outside of San Diego where they had horses and enjoyed country life.

Ron retired from the Navy in 1976 and they moved back to Rigby, Idaho, where Ron went into Real Estate and Nancy worked at an accounting firm. Nancy kept busy working and getting her two children through high school.

Ron and Nancy divorced in 1985. Nancy moved to Boise for a short time before moving to Connell, Washington, where she was close to her daughter, Leslie, her two grandsons, her brothers, and her mother. In Washington, Nancy worked for many years in a doctor’s office. It was during her time in Washington that Nancy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and she began her long battle with the symptoms of the disease. While living in Washington, she met Calvin Jones, a retired college professor from Idaho. Together, they settled in Menan, Idaho, where they bought and restored Calvin’s childhood home. Calvin’s active lifestyle helped keep Nancy moving, which was instrumental in slowing the progression of her disease. They enjoyed traveling the Pacific Northwest and golfing as much as possible. Calvin and Nancy loved to travel, camp, and golf. They spent many wonderful years together before Calvin was diagnosed with, and died from Leukemia. Nancy stayed in Menan for a couple of years before moving to Idaho Falls where she could be close to her son, Tom, and his four children. As her disease progressed, Nancy spent the later part of her life living at Liberty Square and Turtle and Crane Assisted Living Center.

Nancy was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed gardening, camping, golfing, crossword puzzles, card games, Scrabble, and traveling. Nancy is survived by her son, Tom (Celeste) Clawson of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Leslie (Jeff) Janshen of Miles City, MT; brothers, Demont (Diane) Taylor and Rawley Taylor, both of Washington; 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Paul, and companion, Calvin Jones. A visitation for friends and family will be held from 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, October 5, 2019, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road. Interment will follow in the Central Cemetery in Grant.