Clyde Beardall

Our beloved, ever-optimistic father, Clyde LaVoy Beardall, age 88, passed away November 11, 2016 of causes incident to age.  We lost our loving and devoted father, and when his heart stopped, a part of each of ours stopped too.

He was born April 10, 1928, in Provo, Utah to Jasper Jay Beardall and Raisa Johanna Jacobson. Clyde grew up on a farm and learned the value of hard work.  After high school he joined the military and served proudly in the 82nd Airborne. He then went to Dixie College, where he played football, basketball and ran track.  While there, he met Billie Irene Blake.  They were married May 28, 1949, later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. He knew the importance of work, and worked hard all of his life, teaching by example his strong work ethic to his children and grandchildren.

He graduated from BYU in Science Education, and got his Master’s Degree from the University of Utah. He taught in the Nebo and Alpine School Districts for 42 years.  A well-loved teacher, you couldn’t go anywhere with him and not have a former student come up to say hello.  A favorite accomplishment of Clyde’s was being part of the team that established the Outdoor Education Program for the Alpine School District. He helped develop Clear Creek Camp that has since served thousands of students.

He was actively involved with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the community.  He loved nature and spending time in the mountains, exploring, and seeing new things. There were few places in Utah that he had not been. He worked as a river guide on the Colorado River for many summers, making it possible for family members to be helpers, or just enjoying the white-water experience. He loved gardening and spent many hours in his yard, even winning several beautification awards. Clyde and Irene enjoyed years of traveling the world together, where they made many life-long friends.

He loved fishing and hunting, but he treasured his family most.  He was a loving, caring, and supportive husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Clyde had a special relationship with each one of his grandchildren. He was intricately and actively involved in each of their lives, no matter how far away they lived. In person or over the phone long distance, he helped with homework, science projects, recipes, reports, resumes, and critiqued their essays and term papers. He attended their sports events, recitals, presentations, graduations, and all other special events. He took them camping, fishing, hunting, and hiking, and taught them all about the outdoors and enjoying nature. He made sure each grandchild experienced Clear Creek at age 10, which was so dear to him. He taught them how to plant flowers and vegetables, and to appreciate gardening. His happiness was always anything that included his family. Clyde leaves a grand legacy, three children, Douglas, Gayle (Bryan), Lisa (Bruce), 11 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife Irene, and his two brothers, Norman George Beardall and J DeMiles Beardall.

Dad, we love you.  We will miss your love, laughter, and wisdom, and will always be grateful for the man you chose to be.  May we all carry on your legacy of service to others, and unconditional love for everyone. “To live in the hearts of those who are left behind is not to die.”

The family extends a special thanks to the compassionate caregivers, granddaughter Carrie Christensen who lived with him and cared for him tirelessly, Sunrise Hospice, for their loving care, and Virginia Taylor for her help.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday November 15, 2016 at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary 495 S State Street, Orem. Family and friends may attend a viewing at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary prior to the service, 9:00-10:45 a.m.  Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery.