Ray Alban Clawson

Ray Alban Clawson passed away peacefully at the University of Utah Hospital, surrounded by his loving family, on November 7, 2018 from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. Ray was born on August 9, 1934, in Logan, Utah to Alban Theodore Clawson and Vinnie Lucinda Nielsen Clawson. He was the youngest of 11 children, and the first one born in a hospital. Ray had a magical childhood growing up in Hyrum, Utah, where he attended South Cache High School. His days were spent on the family farm riding horses, driving tractors, and learning the importance of hard work. Ray answered the call of duty and was drafted into the United States Army when he turned 19 and served overseas at the end of the Korean War.

Ray attended Utah State University. He put himself through college by working at Thiokol Corporation in rocket and missile system engineering. He was very involved as a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity where he gained many valuable friendships and learned the importance of brotherhood. Ray graduated from Utah State in 1962 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management & Mathematics. After graduation, he continued to work for Thiokol and the US Department of Defense with the Minuteman Missile First-Stage Rocket Engine Program. His experience included mechanical engineering, design, and project management. He was also the Project Manager for the Minuteman Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) project, where he supported missile operations at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

In 1967, Ray headed the Project Management team at Ball Brothers Research Corporation in Denver, Colorado, which involved major solar science projects for Caltech & Harvard that flew on the NASA Skylab Space Sciences Mission. He held various leadership roles and helped to develop the Project Management System (PMS) for Harvard College Observatory. In 1975, Ray moved to New York City and worked for C.E. Lummus Company in their corporate offices and gained experience in their Plutonium Recovery and Construction Management teams. He later moved back to Denver, where he worked for Stearns-Roger Engineering and was the manager of design and implementation of computer-based Project Management Systems for all major Electrical Generation plants in the Western United States. In 1978, Ray moved to Salt Lake City where he worked at Utah Power & Light as the manager of Power Plant Engineering & Construction and oversaw all power plants in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. This is where he met his wife, Mary Ann.

Ray retired from Utah Power & Light in 1990 and went back to his first love of construction and real estate development. Ray started Clawson Corporation and acted as President, CEO & Owner for 28 years. He oversaw the construction of many projects, including beautiful homes in Salt Lake City and his prized project, The Inn at Silver Lake in Deer Valley, Utah.

On October 8, 1983, he married Mary Ann Roberts at the ski lodge in Alta, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized for all time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on November 22, 1986. They were married for 35 years and have four children and three grandchildren. Ray was extremely proud of the dream home that he built for his family in Mount Olympus Cove. He loved being outdoors in nature, skiing, and hiking. He was frequently seen running the streets of the neighborhood with his trusty dog and best friend of 16 years, Max. Ray loved to share his love of nature with his children as they spent many summers in Vail, Colorado. His favorite motto was, “A family that hikes together stays together.” Ray was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and had a strong testimony of the gospel.

As Ray struggled with Alzheimer’s disease, he was cared for by his loving wife. Although he was not able to recognize and remember his family, they knew of his love and devotion and were able to continue making memories with him.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, Alban and Vinnie, and his brothers and sisters, Fern, Gwena, Muriel, MaRee, Helen, Alan, Jack, Don, and Marlene. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, and his four children, Cassidy Ann Kotobalavu (Vili), Kile Ray Clawson (Kathia), Justin Alban Clawson, and Chelsea MaRee Laei (Tua). He is also survived by his three grandchildren, Maika Ray Kotobalavu, Khloe Leilani Kotobalavu, and three-week old Tua Talosaga Laei. He is also survived by his older brother, Wayne Clawson, and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Canyon Rim LDS Stake Center, located at 3051 South 2900 East, SLC UT 84109. A viewing will be held prior to the service in the church from 9:30 – 11:00 am. A viewing will also be held Monday, November 12, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, located at 3401 South Highland Drive, SLC, UT 84106. Interment will be at the Hyrum City Cemetery with military honors. The family would like to thank everyone for their kind words and loving support during this time.