Clarence Gordon John Linnett 73, passed from this life on the 15th January 2019, at his home in West Jordan, Utah, surrounded by his loving family.
Gordon and his family courageously endured the challenges of many long-term chronic illnesses that burdened him for many years of his life. Gordon's will to live and astounding determination to stay with his family on this earth; to be a provider, husband, father, and grandfather; helped him heroically beat all odds to live beyond all medical expectations. No matter how difficult things were, Gordon maintained his wonderful sense of humor that was a blessing and a joy to all those who love him.
Gordon was born 4th of January 1946 to Clarence Walter Linnett and Grace Rudd Linnett in Brighton, Sussex, England. He was the eldest of five children. His parents were inspired to be sealed in the temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as a family. To do so, Gordon's family immigrated to the United States from Southampton, England. Gordon's family arrived at the New York, New York, port November 1949. From there they traveled by train to Salt Lake City, Utah. Gordon and his family were sealed together for eternity in early 1950, and settled in the Salt Lake valley.
After graduating from Granite High School, Gordon was called to serve a mission in the North British Mission, England. He served faithfully, sharing the Gospel for two years from January 1965 to January 1967.
After returning from his mission, Gordon enrolled at Brigham Young University, majoring in accounting. During his first semester at the Y, a mutual friend set him up to correspond with Renee Gordon, believing they would get along. Gordon and Renee enjoyed writing to each other for months. Renee moved from California to Utah for a teaching position, where they finally met face to face for the first time in Salt Lake City. Their first date was a tour of the Family History Center, as Gordon knew of Renee's love for Family History. They were sealed together for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple in November 1967.
Gordon graduated from Brigham Young University in 1972 with a degree in accounting and two small children. Gordon acquired a job at the Utah Transportation department as an auditor. After several years, he decided to advance his career by pursuing a Masters Degree. Gordon earned his Masters of Public Administration from Brigham Young University in 1981, graduating top in his class while working a full time job, several part time jobs, and being the father of five children. With his high qualifications, he was selected to be the Director of the Utah Labor Commission, a career that Gordon thoroughly enjoyed and thrived in. Gordon worked for the State of Utah for over 37 years.
Gordon enjoyed working in the scouting program. As an Eagle Scout himself, he was a merit badge counselor. He encouraged his sons and other youth to set and achieve goals and work toward earning their own Eagle awards. He was involved in coaching little league baseball for his son's teams for many years. Gordon enjoyed the outdoors, camping and hiking with the scouts and his family. Gordon was an avid reader, devouring novels at lightening speed. He loved reading genres of mystery, intrigue, fantasy, dystopian, historical fiction, nonfiction, history, and church literature. Gordon loved participating in all kinds of sports; baseball, basketball, golf, and bowling. He also loved to watch sports on TV and kept up with all his favorite teams. Of course he was an avid BYU football fan. He loved everything British. He followed Masterpiece Theater and BBC programming. He loved Shakespeare, Dickens, Austin, and Rowling. He was proud of his British heritage. Gordon was a fast typist and enjoyed spending his lunch breaks indexing names for family search. He also enjoyed his service as a temple worker in the Jordan River Temple.
Gordon served many positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served as a Bishop, in various bishoprics, as a High Priest group leader, a Scout Master, a Sunday School President, and a Gospel Doctrine teacher. Gordon gave his all to every calling he held, being devoted and faithful. One of his all time favorite calling was Gospel Doctrine teacher as he loved studying the scriptures and doctrine of the Gospel in great depth; reading the words of the prophets and getting to know the Savior in a very personal way.
In the last years of his life, grandchildren were Gordon's joy. He loved hearing about their day and took on the role of being their cheerleader. He enjoyed teasing them and making them laugh with his wry sense of humor. Though he physically was unable to attend their events he always encouraged them to work hard at school, to make good choices and to be successful in life. His grandchildren would play and laugh with him as well as tease him into a happy mood.
Gordon had a witty sense of humor, meticulous work ethic, and great love for his wife, children and grandchildren. Gordon demonstrated a Christ like love and respect for all who knew him. Even at the end of his life, Gordon managed to smile, laugh and express his gratitude and kindness to those around him.
Preceded in death by his parents Clarence Walter Linnett and Grace Rudd Linnett, his brother Evan Glenn Linnett, and niece Ann Marie Linnett.
Survived by his siblings DeLynn (Sumi) Linnett of Bel Air, Maryland; Claudene (Kenneth) Wabel of Taylorsville, Utah; Geoffrey (Pat) Linnett of Dothan, Alabama; and Evan's widow Irene Linnett of West Valley City, Utah.
Survived by his loving eternal companion and best friend, Renee Gordon Linnett; his children Deborah (Michael) Petersen of Fargo, North Dakota, David Linnett of West Jordan, Utah, Elizabeth Linnett of West Jordan, Utah, Rebecca (James) Dunn of Copperton, Utah, Jonathan (Angelina) Linnett of West Valley City, Utah; and sixteen grandchildren Cassandra, Jennifer, Emily, Julia, Jacob, Jessica, Ashlee, Makenna, Zoey, Jarren, Brittany, Ethan, Zachary, Chase, Kortnee, and Lucas.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 23rd at 12:00 PM. Friends are invited to greet the family at the viewings on Tuesday, January 22nd from 7:00 to 9:00 PM and again on Wednesday, January 23rd from 11:00 to 11:45 AM. All services at the LDS Chapel, 7645 South 3200 West, West Jordan. Burial at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd., Sandy.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the care givers at Valeo Home Health and Hospice for the kind compassionate care given to Gordon during the last few months of his life.
