Clifford Thomas Woodall

Our beloved father, grandfather, and brother, Clifford Thomas Woodall, 89, passed away Thurs., Aug. 28, 2014 in Sandy, Utah. He wore his body out. He was tired and he needed rest in the arms of his eternal companion, Merna. Clifford was born July 20, 1925 in Salt Lake City to Clifford Samuel Woodall and Rura Vivian Jones. He was the oldest child. His grandfather Thomas Woodall lived at his home. Soon he was joined by his sisters June (Paget), Vera (Paget), LaRue (Jeffs), and Marie (Bennett), and his brother Bill. He was blessed with loving parents and a happy home. Also, he was blessed with a large extended family. For a part of his life, his maternal grandparents, Benjamin William Jones and Lydia Rosella Porter, lived a few steps away from his back door. Then he had dozens of aunts, uncles, and cousins from both sides of his family who lived close by. Most Sunday afternoons, they gathered at the Woodall's house to have homemade ice cream. Clifford often sat on the back steps and cranked the churn. Clifford graduated from West High in 1944. He tried to join the Navy, but he was turned away due to a heart murmur. Because his Aunt Isabel, who lived in Los Angeles, said she knew a cardiologist who might be able to help him, he went to live with and work for her for about two years. When World War II combat ended and the military lowered its health standards, he was able to enlist in the Army for a short time. He served from Apr. 1946 to Dec. 1946. All of his service was in Japan. After his discharge, Clifford served the Lord as an LDS missionary in Ontario, Canada, from 1949 to 1951. Toward the end of his mission, a total stranger, Merna Sampson, the daughter of Alonzo Sampson and Mary Alice Allred, wrote him a letter. She was given his name and address by her roommate, Helen Glad. Clifford almost lost the love of his life. He thought Merna had been somewhat forward with him, and his first letter to her included the phrase "a pig in a poke." The one grace that saved his bacon is Merna always answered her letters. Clifford and Merna fell in love through their letters. They married January 24, 1952 in the Manti Temple. Together they had nine children, and they met and conquered many challenges. Their first big challenge was when they lost their twins Daniel and Dennis, who were born June 4, 1961 and died the same day. Their next was when Merna got breast cancer at age 34 and then had two more bouts of cancer. She survived. Their last was when Merna got Alzheimer's. She lived to be 80 and passed away in 2010. For most of his working years, Clifford worked for Filtrol Corp. as a foreman. His company made a product used in oil refining. Because his plant operated 24-hours a day, seven days a week, he had to work many swing and night shifts and holidays. He endured the inconvenience and loss of sleep so he could take good care of his wife and children. Also, he wanted to give his family opportunities to make lasting memories and to have fun. Every year he took his family on vacation. Then he took them camping, fishing, shooting, hunting (that is until he got tired of hauling deer out of the mountains); and he took them to church activities, fathers and sons outings, and the Sampson Family Reunion. Every year he gave them a good Christmas. Clifford loved his faith and he accepted all positions he was called to. This took him from being a humble home teacher to being a hardworking and concerned bishop. One of his delights was working under the direction of his friend LaVar Wallgren as they put the gold leafing on a dozen or more Angel Moronis. Another one of his delights was taking Merna on a mission to Ohio and to the temple to do endowments and sealings. He had one lifelong passion: that was woodworking. He made cedar chests for most of his granddaughters (his health did not permit him to do this for all of them) and wood toys or crafts for all his grandchildren for Christmas. The words he said that will stay in his children's minds forever are, "I need to go buy a board." Clifford is survived by his children, Brent (Vickie Lynn), Eldon (Karol Lyn), Myra, Douglas (Gaylene), Jeff (Lynn), Andrea (Dale) Carrington, and Janet Nicoll, his sister LaRue, 21 grandchildren, his honorary grandchild Karalee Clark, and 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his eternal companion, three sisters and his brother, his twin sons, and one great-grandson. Services will be held Sat., Sept. 6, 2014 at Kearns Stake Center, 4260 W. 5215 S., Kearns, Utah, starting at 10 a.m. Those who wish to visit the family may do so starting at 9 a.m. Interment will be at West Jordan Cemetery. The family is especially grateful for the loving care Clifford was given by Karalee Clark; the nurses, CNAs, and staff at Canyon Rim Care Center, Sandy Health and Rehab, and OneCare; and the leaders and volunteers at the LDS branches he attended at his first care center in Salt Lake and his second in Sandy. Place of Birth:Salt Lake City, UtahPlace of Death:Sandy, Utah