Herbert Larson Clarke, 92 wonderful years old, passed away March 21, 2023 in Ferron, Utah. He was born March 4, 1931 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Herbert Westwood Clarke and Emma Rosetta Larson Clarke. He was the third child of seven, Luella, Jean, Maxine, LaRae, Robert, and Joy. He loved them all so much.
He married the love of his life, Barbara Garside Clarke on August 5, 1953 in the Salt Lake Temple for Time and All Eternity. He took loving care of her for almost 70 years. They were blessed with four children, Carole, Jack, Shirley, and Cole.
Dad graduated from Granite High School and soon after enlisted in the Army National Guard which he made his career. He attained the rank of Sergeant Major. He made many friends while serving. They often called him “the big Sweed” because of his Swedish heritage. He earned many honors in those 41 years. He was a fiscal officer for many years and ended his career as an auditor traveling to many units. He retired in 1991 with 41 years of service. He remained very patriotic and taught his children to honor the flag and stand when the national anthem was sung.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in many positions including counselor in the Bishopric and also financial clerk. Needless to say, he was very smart with numbers.
Dad loved to fish, go camping, hike, run the river, play horseshoes, and garden. But he mostly loved his family. Many family trips were taken to Deer Creek Reservoir, Trial Lake and beyond, and a family favorite, Moon Lake. The family would get up early, fix lunch, and hike to the other side of the lake to fish. It’s a tradition that still goes on.
Many stopped by to see “Woody” and “Ashley” who proudly stood in his front yard. You might catch them in a fireman hat, cowboy hat, or dressed for the holidays. Dad was very resourceful and never let anything go to waste, even those old tree stumps.
Dad was a very proud man. He never asked for anything that he could do himself. He never complained. When it became to much for him to continue to take care of mom, they moved to Orangeville to live with their daughter. Each night he would lovingly tuck her in, making sure the blankets were just right, and give her a kiss goodnight. When mom fell and had to move to the care center, he spent many hours on FaceTime talking to her and countless visits to be by her side.
Dementia took over his life and it became difficult for him to remember new things but his memory of things in the past was remarkable. In November he got COVID which seemed to accelerate his memory loss. It became evident that it was time for him to join mom in the care center. They spent 4 wonderful months together there. On March 18 he fell and broke his leg right below the hip. It caused him so much pain, but again he never complained. The family would like to thank the staff at Emery County Care and Rehab and Symbii Hospice for their loving care of our dad in the months he was there and especially the last few days of his life.
He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara, his children, Carole (Gordon) Larsen, Jack (Nannlynn) Clarke, Shirley (Randy) Price, and Cole(Rene) Clarke. His legacy includes 19 grandkids, 34 great-grandkids, 5 great-great grandsons, and 11 bonus grandkids. He is also survived by his sisters Jean Querry, LaRae (Roger) Buckmiller, Joy Wilson, and his brother Robert (Jean) Clarke. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Luella Olsen and Maxine Clark, brothers-in-law Charles Querry, Richard Olsen, and Jerry Wilson, and many others who were waiting there for him beyond the veil.
The funeral will be held Saturday April 1, 2023 in the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park chapel (3401 S Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106) at 1:00 pm. There will be a viewing one hour prior to services. Internment will be at the same location.
“Keep smelling, I mean smiling!!”
