Fred Leon Clare

Fred Leon Clare died peacefully, Tuesday, October 31, 2017, at his home in Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona from Alzheimer's.  He was 82 years old.  Fred was born at his Granny's house on Gilbert Road on Thursday, July 4, 1935, in Gilbert, Arizona to his parents, the late Vernon and Garnet (Lines) Clare.His was a farm family and, at a young age, they taught him the value of "hard work by the sweat of his brow."  His parents instilled within him the importance of family and showed, by their example, how to follow the Lord's admonition of "loving one another."  The lessons they taught him were blessings that served him throughout his long life.Fred was a member of Gilbert High School's Class of 1953.  As a student there, he met his forever sweetheart, Patricia Knight.  Just a few months following her graduation, the couple married on September 24, 1955, in the old Gilbert Chapel of the LDS Church, in downtown Gilbert.  Their marriage was later solemnized on January 15, 1957, in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Right out of high school, Fred worked for Fuller's Welding in Gilbert.  Shortly after marrying his bride, he began a long and successful career in the gas department, working for APS.  His department later was sold and became Southwest Gas.  He remained working at Southwest Gas, as a supervisor, until his retirement.Fred lived his life in the service of others.  He believed that by doing so he was only in the service of his God.  After joining the Church, Fred was called to be a ward missionary and he never tired of sharing his love for the Savior with others.  He later served as the ward's Scout Master.  He enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with the scouts by showing them skills that they could use throughout their lives.  He appreciated that time in the scouting program because he saw those boys grow into responsible young men and becoming Eagle Scouts.  Later, Fred was called to be Elders Quorum President and was a faithful home teacher to countless families that looked forward to his monthly visits.  Fred also served as a counselor to two bishops and then was a High Councilman for several years in his stake.  He also served as the Gilbert Greenfield Stake President for 9 years.  Thousands loved him for the kind and gentle man that he was.  In 1999, after all of his children were grown, Fred and Pat accepted a proselyting mission call to the Oklahoma City Mission for a period of 18 months.  While there, they survived a horrendous tornado that ripped through the area where they were living. After returning home again, he served for several years as the High Priest Group Leader of his ward. A few years following their return from Oklahoma, Pat and Fred began a new chapter in their lives when they moved to the village of Linden, just outside of Show Low, Arizona.  They enjoyed living several of their retirement years there.  Wherever they were, the Clares always made lifelong friends along the way.  Linden was no exception.  Fred continued in his church service there and never tired of helping others and always seemed to magnify his callings.  The Clares worked in the two church canneries in Mesa as well as the one in Snowflake.  They were also faithful temple workers in both the Mesa and Snowflake Temples.  Fred also had a creative mind with an incredible imagination.  He wrote several Roadshows for the youth of the Church, through the years.  He enjoyed watching their award-winning performances.Family was paramount in Fred's life and he loved to go camping with them all.  Their favorite camping spot was at the Black River.  Fred also was an excellent bow hunter and looked forward to the big elk hunts whenever he was drawn.  He also loved a good fishing trip with his family; especially to Roosevelt and San Carlos Lakes.  Fred Leon Clare is survived by his wife of 62 years, Pat Clare of Mesa, Arizona; his 8 children:  Fred, Jr. (Jeanette) Clare of Queen Creek, Arizona, Julia (Mike) Daley of Mesa, Arizona, David V. (Jayne) Clare of Salem, Utah, Kim (Dennis) Webb of Gilbert, Arizona, Jeff (Joni) Clare of Gilbert, Arizona, Greg (Julie) Clare of Queen Creek, Arizona, Aaron (Aimee) Clare of Peoria, Arizona, Daron (Janessa) Clare of Gilbert, Arizona; his siblings:  Bob (Nancy) Clare of Coolidge, Arizona, Sandra Edwards of Milwaukee, Oregon; 36 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.  Along with his parents, Fred was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Bud Edwards; 2 great-grandchildren:  Grace Clare and Sarah Clare.The public viewing and friends calling will be from 9:00 A.M. to 10:15 A.M., Saturday, November 11, 2017, at the Mesa South Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:  1415 E. Southern Avenue in Mesa, Arizona.  The funeral service will begin 10:30 A.M. at the Mesa South Stake Center.  The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery:  1212 N. Center Street in Mesa, Arizona. Fred's family is thankful for all of the expressions of sympathy they have received during this difficult season and are especially grateful for all of the prayers offered up on their behalf.  Arrangements are being cared for by Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel of Show Low, Arizona.