Clyde Colvin Besson

Clyde Colvin Besson, 81, of Scottsdale, Arizona made his peaceful journey to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, December 9, 2016 after succumbing to complications associated with renal failure. Born on May 28, 1935 in Rayne, Louisiana, Clyde was the oldest of six children. He grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and graduated from Louisiana College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

With his wife Cathy at his side, Clyde founded and directed Christian Growth Ministries, a nonprofit organization providing family counseling as well as personal growth seminars and video series for single adults, couples, and single parents. He was a widely traveled speaker, author, and seminar leader dealing with issues facing single adults, couples, and blended families as well as grief recovery and all areas of abuse in contemporary society. Clyde was best known for his books, Picking up the Pieces: Successful Single Living (electronic version available on Amazon.com) and Growing Together: Growth Coaching for Couples. He was affectionately known across the nation as “The Growth Coach.”

Clyde served as a pastor for over 50 years to churches in Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, and Arizona. After retirement, he served Arizona churches during the pastor search process as the Transitional Pastor, a role he dearly loved. His greatest desire was to help Arizona churches become healthy examples of God’s grace so their leadership and new pastors could move forward with the Great Commission in a mighty way.

Clyde was preceded in death by parents William and Keitha Besson and son Chris Reagin. He is survived by his wife, Cathy Jones Besson; daughters Catherine Tatom, Janet Roessler, and Kelly Reagin; sons Keith Besson and Kevin Reagin; grandchildren Trent and Sunny Lee Reagin, Josh and Ian Roessler, Aimee Cameron, Jarrod Tatom, and Merle and Jeb Besson; great grandchildren Rylan, Brett, Carson, and Tatom Cameron; sisters Pat Swan, Juanita Massey, Mabel Case, Gladys Sims, and Florence Foreman.

A private graveside service for family and close friends will be held on Friday, December 16, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Green Acres Mortuary and Cemetery, 401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, Arizona. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, January 7 at 10 a.m. at North Phoenix Baptist Chapel, 5757 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, Arizona, with a reception following.

The nonprofit organization Clyde founded, Christian Growth Ministries (CGM), will continue to offer counseling services to people who need it the most and, at the time of need, have the least resources. The directorship of CGM and counseling will continue under the leadership of Alfie Safa, who Clyde mentored through his years as a student at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans

for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Arrangements under the direction of Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery, Scottsdale, AZ.