Gilbert “Clay” Graham, 93, of Rigby, Idaho, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in Teton, Idaho on April 3, 2023.Clay was born on November 30thth, 1929. He was the second eldest son of Leonard Everett Graham and Evelyn Green Graham of Rigby, Idaho. He attended the Jefferson County school system until high school. He worked on the family farm with his father all his life. He loved music, was an accomplished violinist, and had a wonderful singing voice. He served as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United States Central Mission. Upon returning from his mission, he met his sweetheart, Lenny Pocock, from Sugar City, Idaho. Lenny was Clay’s most prized possession. They both shared a common love for music and sang together throughout their lives. He and Lenny were blessed with her seven wonderful children, two girls and his five boys. He loves spending time with his family and attended music and sporting events of his 28 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
Clay had vivid memories of his formative years working on the family farm with his uncles and grandparents. He farmed, produced quality hay, potatoes and wheat, and ran a dairy farm. He developed a strong sense of ethics and pride in his work. He chose farming as a career to support his large family. He loves the outdoors and was intrigued to learn all he could about farming. He only plants, irrigates, farms, machines and tills the land. He was never one to be lazy or let the dust settle, and he liked to keep himself busy with reading and learning.
Clay was a sweet, kind person who loved to talk to people and had a unique sense of humor. Thanks to that, he was able to interact with people naturally, and his later years became an asset in his career. He has won numerous awards as the top salesman for the Living Scriptures organization.
Clay had great love and devotion to God and Jesus Christ. He has served in many Church callings as a high priests group leader, bishopric counselor, and stake high councilor. He and his wife Lenny served missions in the Idaho He Falls Temple Visitor Center and the St. George Temple. They supported children on missions. Clay has always been a constant missionary throughout his life. He never left home without two copies of the Book of Mormon to share a special message with the people he met. He touched literally hundreds of lives and spread the gospel. His missionary example encouraged many of his descendants to carry out successful missions around the world.
David (Susie) Graham of Chandler, Arizona, Lynn (Robin) Graham of Phoenix, Arizona, Jeff Graham of Teton, Idaho, Paul (Tammy) Graham of Rigby, Idaho, and Paul (Tammy) Graham of Rigby, Idaho Teton, Idaho and their brothers Leonard (Bev) Graham Jr. of Heber, Utah; Nettian (Max) Nelson of Boise, Idaho; Eva May (Harry) Phillips of Bountiful Utah; and Stephen (Vanessa) Graham Provo of Vanessa, Utah. He has parents Leonard and Evelyn Graham, wife Lenny Pocock Graham, daughter Wendy (Michelle) Hawkes, son Keith (Stephanie) Graham, and brothers Robert (Zoan) and Ronald (LaRue) Graham. and sister Norma (Doug) Casper.
A viewing and funeral will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the Rigby Idaho Holbrook Stake Center, 4021 East 300 North, Rigby, ID 83442. Visitation starts at 11:30 a.m. Funeral starts at 1:00 p.m. The burial will take place immediately after the funeral service at the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery (4023 Ririe Hwy, Rigby, ID).
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