IN MEMORIUM

BRYANT RANDALL CLARK

IDAHO! Cold winters and short summers. Georgetown, Montpelier, BearLake, Fish Haven, Paris, Soda Springs.... all places that were so important in the events transpiring in the youthful days of Bryant Randall Clark, fifth son of Alice Randall Clark and Edward Barrett Clark. Struggling against the cold to assist the family to manage their part of the Clark inheritance absorbed most daily hours. Alice taught her children to love and respect their father. Bryant grew up taking full advantage of all social and educational opportunities in this pioneer atmosphere. Bryant was blessed by his father but baptized, confirmed and ordained a deacon, teacher and priest by Charles Rich Clark.

Bryant met Reta Jane Brown, a vivacious native Utahan school teacher in Sugar City, Idaho and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple. They were in Kamas, Utah teaching during the depression years. They settled permanently in Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico after Bryant graduated from Brigham Young University and the University of Utah with emphasis on science, chemistry and physics.

Bryant taught in the Juarez Stake Academy until he was 70 years old. He was an absolutely beloved teacher. Teaching was definitely his talent and he loved it! During this time, he served as Superintendent of the Church School System in Mexico for 17 years which then consisted of five grade schools and one high school. He handled all the accounting, supplying, tax matters, etc. himself; working late into the night at the academty office became a way of life. This heavy load took it's toll on his health. 

Church responsibilities were important too. He was President of the Stake Mutual for three years and also served later as Stake Sunday School Superintendent. He was a valuable member of the Juarez Stake High Council for 28 years. For 20 years he taught the Gospel Doctrine class in Sunday School. 

He directed and participated in many drama productions. He loved to dance the charleston and was fantastic in skits, readings and pantomines. He relaxed playing the card game Rook and traveling. He and Reta spent many happy hours traveling by car. They made a trip to Georgetown, Idaho, the week before he passed away.

Bryant suffered a very severe heart attack in 1974 and was in the intensive care unit for seven weeks. He lived fully during the next eight years before he passed away, 13 November 1981 in Salt Lake City. 

He wrote a novel, RAINS IN MEADOW VALLEY, and had it published. In the apple orchard business, he excelled by producing from his orchard the largest apples and the best production per acre. A book telling the history of his mother, Alice Randall was compiled and published and distributed to her children and grand children. It is entitled "That You Might Know Her Better" and is a lovely tribute to his mother. At the time of his passing, he was involved in research and had accumulated much material and information for a comprehensive history of the Mormon Colonies in Mexico.

Bryant lived in Mexico for 50 years, half a century. He definitely is part of the history of that settlement. He was loved far and wide by everyone for his friendliness, wisdom, and caring for people. He was known as "El Profesor Clark." His service to the growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is inmeasurable. His students became Regional Representatives, Stake Presidents, Bishops, School Directors, Patriarchs, Mission Presidents and public servants all over the United States and Mexico.

Bryant and Reta had six children. Five are living. His two boys, J. Randall and Lorell continue in the fruit business in Mexico. Barbra Alice, the oldest daughter lives in Phoenix and Carol Call lives in El Paso, Texas and has six children, five of whom have all graduated from BYU. DeeAnne Whetten is a Salt Lake resident and has 10 children- two filled missions to Spain. His dear wife Reta enjoys her two homes. One in Salt Lake and the old family home in Mexico.

What would Bryant have us say to his Clark loved ones? He loved you all so much. You know that. He was so proud to be Ezra T. Clark's grandson.

What can we say about Bryant? How can you say enough about one who has done so much?

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