Clair M. Tucker

Clair Myron Tucker completed his long life on December 23, 2020 to reunite with his beloved wife Lucile (Olsen), his ancestors, and his children—Barry, Penney (Huang) and Karen. Clair lived a gospel-centered life in which he was guided by his testimony when making those important decisions towards marriage (74 years) and family (eight children, 20 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild). A man of strong faith, Clair strove to keep the commandments, study gospel doctrines, and fulfill Church callings. He was an optimist who was confident that no matter what the dire situation, he knew things would always turn out for the best.

Born in a cabin in Fairview Utah on July 29, 1919, Clair moved six months later to Clear Creek. There, his parents Frank “Mack” and Lucy (Brady) provided a somewhat idyllic boyhood where he told about riding his horse “Tony” along the ridge above Finn Canyon, sometimes “going over the mountain” to visit his relatives in Fairview. He loved the mountains: skiing and sledding with the Finns in the winter; fishing and exploring in the summer. However, these good times were countered when eleven year old Clair watched his father suffer for a year from a broken back caused by a mining accident.

During the Depression, fifteen-year old Clair moved back to Fairview to help his grandfather Frank on the farm and to attend North Sanpete High (class of 1937). Afterwards, he went to Brigham Young University for two years, passing general education courses with a Zoology major. The following year (1939) Clair took mechanic classes at Utah State Agricultural College in Logan.

In May 1941 Clair set out for the Northern Central States Mission, his first venture outside of Zion. Keeping a meticulous journal, he wrote about strengthening church members, proselytizing for converts, and enduring the cold, cold Minnesota/Montana winters. He also devoted much time to building his testimony by studying the scriptures and writings of the general authorities. It was here where his faith became rock solid, preparing him for the challenges of WWII when he joined the Navy.

At 24 years of age (1943) after completing his Basic Training in Farragut, ID, Clair started preparation for Medical Core Pharmacist Mate in Providence, RI, and New London, CT. After more training in Amphibious Forces in San Bruno, CA, he was deployed in Guam (Base 18 Hospital) during the invasion of Iwo Jima. He was released in March 1946.

After a mission and military service, Clair was eager to settle down: “marry Lucile and ‘begat’ children.” After their marriage in the Manti Temple, the newlyweds moved to Upland, California where Clair worked as a milk processor at Allura Farm Dairy and then his Uncle Ned’s Sunshine Dairy where he made prize-winning ice cream. During this time, while living in El Monte, California, six children were born. Clair was called to the High Council of West Covina Stake; he and Lucile served a Stake Mission, along with other church callings.

In 1962 Clair and Lucile took the risk of venturing out with dreams of owning their own processing and retail dairy products by moving their family to Chatsworth, California. After five years of effort, they changed course by selling the business and moving to a new house in Riverside, California, where Clair sold insurance for Beneficial Life. Here, in 1974-1979, he served as Bishop in the La Sierra Ward.

Clair and Lucile entered another chapter of their long lives by serving in the West Indies Mission where again they supported members, new converts, and fellow missionaries. Upon returning from their mission, they shared their experiences and proudly displayed artwork from Barbados, St. Kitts, and Antiqua with visitors and family.

Next, in 1990, they moved back to Fairview, Clair’s ancestral hometown, and purchased his parents’ home. By now, in their eighties, they worked for over six years in the Manti Temple. During this time, Clair was also able to return full circle to his boyhood attachment to the mountains by often crossing over to Scofield Reservoir with his fishing buddy Frank Sanders.

Clair and Lucile, upon reaching their nineties, were fortunate to be cared for by Joseph and Cathryn Tucker in Alpine. Their sacrifice and nurturing love during twelve years of caregiving is truly remarkable. As for Clair, by living the Gospel and by lovingly guiding his family, we can confidently believe that everything will turn out okay.

Clair is survived by five of sons: Wayne (Judi), Bruce (Sheryl), Chris (Yolanda), David (Cathy) and Joseph (Cathryn) and son-in-law George Huang.

A viewing will be held on Monday, December 28, 2020 from 10:30 to 11:30 am at the Warenski Funeral Home, 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah. Interment for family only will be later in the afternoon at 2:00 pm in Fairview.