Another memorable fathers and sons gathering at Yankee Meadows took place on Friday, June 17, 2022. Heavy wind was predicted for this annual priesthood restoration commemoration event but was no obstacle to our hearty men and boys as we fished, ate chili dogs, drank spring water, started fires without matches, and fended off a newly formed tribe of aborigines. This was our second time gathering at Yankee Meadows. We thank Br. Roy Adams for allowing us to again enjoy the beauty of his land.
Alexander Gary Barclay of St. George, Utah passed away peacefully at his home on the early morning of Thursday, June 16, 2022.
According to family members at the service he didn't want, Alex (who went by "Gary" for most of his life) was described as "private, sociable, sensitive, sweetly sentimental, perceptive, protective, engaged and thoughtful, a punster and a master teacher but mostly he was a dedicated servant of the Lord."
One of his sons noted, "I was in my 20's before I knew what my dad did for a living but we all knew the most important things in his life were his family, the gospel of Jesus Christ, basketball and golf."
Of his health issues in the last year or two, it was said, "he bore it stoically and without complaint."
The eldest son of Alex and Lavon Barclay was born on December 26, 1941 in Ogden where he grew up as a member of the Ogden 12th Ward. He always said the highlight of his youth was playing on the ward basketball team which won the All-Church title two years in a row and where he was named the All-Star player.
He served a mission in the Eastern Atlantic States, then finished his education earning a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a master's degree in Business Administration.
He married Kathryn Wynn in 1966 in the Salt Lake Temple. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to the Eastern U.S. but was eventually offered employment in Toronto, Ontario, Canada where he spent the next 35 years working in his chosen career and where he served the Lord as a stake missionary, Bishop, Stake President, Gospel Doctrine teacher and temple worker.
Upon retirement he and Kathryn moved to St. George where, as he put it, “I’ve found my place in the sun”. He loved St. George with the warm weather and the opportunity to play golf. During this time with his favorite fellow golf enthusiasts he led the “OGA” (Old Golfers Assocation) planning, organizing, scorekeeping and winning money from the other players!
According
to friend, fellow golfer and B7 Ward member Ed Sappington, "Alex
Barclay was a personality larger than life to those who called him
'friend'. He was an amazing teacher in church and in life. Whether the
classroom or the golf course, you came away from his lessons inspired.
On those days when a drive around town took you past the Southgate Golf
Club practice area, you might find Alex out on the chipping range
honing the mastery of his short game. If you dared to talk on the tee
box you could feel a targeted stare from the Big Guy for this infraction
he considered a big 'NO, NO' ... especially when he was about to hit
yet another perfect drive.
"Although
it has been many months since Alex was able to join his friends’ weekly
golf games most of us can still hear him say as someone was about to
hit a drive, 'A little more left … a little more left'.
"Many in his golfing group tried to teach one another valuable lessons over the years. If you ever golfed with Alex, you might have noticed the only new equipment he ever added to his bag was a used driver Aaron Larsen bought at a garage sale. Others may have noticed his golf glove was well-worn after “years” of play, but it worked for Alex. He frequently reminded one or more of his teammates, 'it isn’t the fault of the arrow, it’s the Indian with the problem'."
Alex was an eleven-year member of the Bloomington 7th ward where once again, he enjoyed callings as Gospel Doctrine teacher, Stake Sunday School President and ministering brother.
He is survived by his beautiful and devoted wife and a legacy of seven noble children of whom he frequently referred to as his "Magnificent Seven," twenty-five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
With his God-given missionary and teaching skills he will be a mighty force in the service of the Lord, gathering Israel on the other side of the veil.
He will be remembered with love and appreciation by those who knew him for incomparable contributions made throughout his life.
Following a private family viewing and service on Thursday, June 23, 2022, he was interred in the
Tonaquint Cemetery though his family members testified he is "still living in a wonderful place!"
She is excited to be serving in the world’s most popular tourist destination and home of the most visited museum on the planet. She studied French for two years in high school and can’t wait to learn more of the language and the culture and meet the people.
Sister Martha is the last of a long line of Bown missionaries. Dad served in Argentina … Mom in Brazil. Oldest sister Sarah served in the Nebraska Winter Quarters Mission. Elizabeth spent 18 months in Poland. Only brother Peter was a missionary in Texas while Caroline was in Peru followed by Grace who served in Canada.
“A mission has always been part of my life plans and I would be happy to serve wherever the Lord called me, but France will be both a challenge and a blessing.”
When
missionaries first arrived in France in 1849, they only found interested
listeners among religious dissenters and cultural outsiders. One early
convert, Louis Bertrand, would lead the French Mission until it closed
in 1864. Missionaries returned to France in 1908, but world wars and
economic hardship limited the Church’s presence for the next four
decades. Faithful French Saints such as Léon Fargier and Eveline
Kleinert helped carry the Church through the difficulties of World War
II.
After
the war, the Church established a stronger foundation in France. Church
President David O. McKay announced a temple where ceremonies would
be performed in French would be built in Switzerland, the Church gained
legal recognition in France, and Church literature was translated and
published in French. During the 1960s, Church membership increased
fivefold as missionaries and members worked to spread the gospel. In
1975, the first stake in France was organized in Paris. Though the
laborers in France have often been few, the harvest has indeed been
great.
Today, France has a growing membership of 38,200 in ten stakes and since the 1970s, French Saints prayed for a temple in their own country. In 2011, the Lord through His prophet President Thomas S. Monson, announced the construction of a temple to be built near Paris. Members in the area held open houses to help their neighbors understand the temple project. The Paris France Temple was dedicated in May 2017.
Tu vas nous manquer pendant ton absence, Soeur Bown