Clare Raymond Benson

Clare Raymond Benson of St. George, UT Clare Raymond Benson - 84, passed away December 22, 2016, in St. George, UT. He was born March 5, 1932 in Farnum, Fremont, Idaho to Anna Amelia Cherry and Harry Lorenzo Benson. He was the tenth of their eleven children. After graduating high school he joined the U.S. Navy, where he served on the USS Hamel AD-20 and serviced destroyers operating in Korean waters. He married Donna Jean Horne, 28 July 1955. He was released from active duty in the U.S Navy on February 27, 1956 and was discharged in 1960. Clare and Donna had their first child, Terry Raymond Benson, on April 6, 1956. Then, on September 12, 1967, they adopted a daughter, Tela Jean Benson. Clare was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many callings over the years. He worked for Glendale Builders Supplies, C & C Materials Company, and Prudential Insurance Company as an agent. He was employed by U.S. Lime Company and promoted to General Manager. During this time, he was elected to be President of the Arizona Masonry Guild. On November 16, 1974 he married Ruth Eliza Williams and they moved to Canyon Country, CA along with her four children Kathy, Candy, Don and Robyn. His company sent him to Phoenix, AZ where he was sealed to Ruth in the Mesa, AZ temple. He was also sealed to his 4 stepchildren at the same time. In 1994, Clare and Ruth retired and built a home in St. George, Utah. In July of 2001, they served as the Directors of LDS Employment Resources in St. George, Utah. He enjoyed serving as coordinator along with his wife at the St. George, Utah Temple baptistery for 10 years. He concluded his Temple service as a recommend checker in the baptistery. Clare was a devoted husband, father, and service minded man who was very aware of all in need and went above and beyond to give help wherever needed. Clare is survived by: his wife Ruth; his brother Keith; and his children Tela, Kathy, Candy, Don, and Robyn; 30 grandchildren and 76 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by: his son Terry;and his siblings Edward, Eva, May, Swede, Verla, Myrth, Melvin, and Myrna. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 30, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bloomington Hills 8th Ward LDS Chapel, 1222 E. Brigham Rd., St. George, UT. A visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Interment with military honors will take place at Tonaquint Cemetery.

Clare Raymond Benson

March 5, 1932 - December 22, 2016