Garth Clay passed peacefully to the next life surrounded by family and his eternal companion. At the conclusion of his long life, the greatest tribute can be paid him: He loved deeply, is deeply loved, and endured well to the end.

Garth was born in Idaho Falls to Josie Maurice and Evan Clay, the oldest of four children. They moved often with his dad's military career before settling in Bountiful, Utah. While a "Rally Man" at Davis High, he met Letha Sue Schiffman. Before leaving to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he gave Letha his fraternity pin with a promise to marry.

He served in the British Mission. His journey there took nearly three weeks and included an Atlantic crossing on the Queen Mary. He loved his experience and told mission stories to the end of his days.

After returning home, he and Letha Sue were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on August 11, 1960. Garth often expressed gratitude for Letha, told everyone of his great "luck" in marrying her. Each day when he got home from work, he made sure to first give her a quick hug, kiss, and pat on the bottom before doing anything else.

Garth was a Utah Man, Sir—a Pi Kappa Alpha who earned a Sociology degree and MBA from the University of Utah. He and Letha lived in University Village while he studied. They relocated to Bountiful, where their nine children were raised.

Garth worked in information systems throughout his career. When hired at IBM, the president of the company asked to meet the man who had scored higher on the entrance exam than anyone ever had. He also worked for Management Systems Corporation, spent many years at Beneficial Life Insurance Corporation, and retired as an employee of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Garth had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel and enjoyed church service in many capacities, especially as Bishop of the Bountiful 23rd Ward. Upon retiring, he and Letha served as senior missionaries in Hawaii and as temple workers in the Laie Temple.

Garth's interests knew few bounds. He loved learning and was an avid reader. He had a brilliant mind—he was Google before Google existed. His children could always count on him for help with school papers and projects. They did, however, have to weigh their desire for an answer against the likelihood of being stuck for a half-hour speech on the subject. His desire to share knowledge didn't stop with his children. A granddaughter once asked, "What is Papa Johns?" Grandpa responded, "Well, it's built around a franchise model, and each franchisee has to…"  She was three.

He was a skilled craftsman who focused his work on the needs of his family. He could as readily do all the work on a house renovation as he could sew dresses or make beautiful pinewood derby cars. He loved tools, and his workshop, secured with a key, was a child's wonderland.

Garth was a dedicated and supportive family man, a constant fixture at kids' sporting and academic events, at drill team and choral performances. His children's lives were enriched with fishing and camping trips, countless trips to Grandma and Grandpa Schiffman's house in southern Utah, a memorable trip to Disneyland that included two hours of driving trying to find a place to eat before settling on the Burger King across the street from the motel. As he grew old, he would sit quietly in the deafening chaos of family gatherings, a small smile on his face, contentedly observing the people he cared about.

Garth sacrificed and loved. His life was good and rich, and he well deserves his rest.

We love you Sweetheart, Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa!

Garth is survived by his wife, Letha Sue; his sister, Julie; his nine children: Jordan (Clare) Clay, Alyson (Brad) Jacox, Adrianne (Gordon) Sorensen, Jennifer (Randy) Healey, Rebecca (Mark) Olson, Millicent Clay, Joseph (Natalie) Clay, Nathan (Tamara) Clay, AnnMarie Clay; 34 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Leon and Janis.

A life celebration will be held Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at the Bountiful East Stake Center, 650 East 2150 South, Bountiful, Utah. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, prior to services, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the Stake Center.

Graveside services will be held Monday, December 30, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in the Smithfield City Cemetery, Smithfield, Utah.

Services will be livestreamed at the following link: Joseph Garth Clay