Reed Luke Clegg has completed his mission on earth, one month shy of his 97th birthday. He was born on July 13, 1918, to A. Luke and Dolly Bradley Clegg in Altonah, Utah. He died of natural causes on June 2, 2015 in Salt Lake City, UT. His family knows that he is again walking hand in hand with his sweet wife, Naomi, who passed away three years ago.
Though he lived through the Great Depression, his childhood was a happy one. He learned the value of hard work and was determined to get an education. His family moved from the Uintah Basin to Provo to facilitate his obtaining a higher education. Blessed with a sharp intellect, he excelled at school and graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. from BYU where he was a champion debater. Reed and Naomi met on the stairs of the BYU library. Reed married Naomi Harmer Clegg in the Salt Lake Temple on August 17, 1940, the beginning of their 70+ year marriage. They soon moved to Washington, D.C. to continue his education, where he obtained a Master's Degree in Hospital Administration from American University.
Though Reed was exempt from the World War II draft since he worked with Eleanor Roosevelt in the National Security Department, he enlisted in the Navy and served as an Ensign after receiving special training at Harvard. He later helped liberate the Chinese prisoners of war from their camps. He was always proud of his Navy service. After the War, Reed pursued his chosen vocation, becoming the first non-physician Director of a Veterans Administration Hospital. The family lived in Virginia, Colorado, Utah, Michigan, Connecticut and Washington. During his career, he earned several honors and served as the President of the Western Hospital Administrators.
A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in many ward, stake, and mission leadership positions. One of his most memorable assignments found him and his wife called as the first resident missionaries to Ghana in 1979. They also served in Nigeria. After witnessing the poverty and lack of health care of the people in Ghana and Nigeria, Reed and Naomi established ‚ÄòFriends of West Africa' a charity which provided medical supplies and other related services, eventually receiving the Governor's Award for their pro-active work. He was called to serve in the Presidency of the Temple Square Mission from 1989 ‚ 1992.
Throughout his life, community service played a central role. He was president of Kiwanis and served as one of the first male PTA presidents in the nation, among other positions of trust. The highest level of integrity and an uncanny talent for organization was the foundation for all of his activities.
He valued his pioneer heritage and did extensive genealogical research, publishing two books about his progenitors.
Reed loved his family very much. He is survived by three of his four children: Carolyn Clegg Lloyd (Ronald), Kenneth Reed Clegg (JoAnn), and Marcia Clegg Bean (Stephen). He is, also, survived by 19 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and 1 great-great-great grandchild. His wife, Naomi, preceded him in death as well as his daughter, Constance Clegg Nelson (Stevens), his granddaughter, Cindi Lloyd Scott, his parents, brother, Carl Clegg and sister, Verda Marie Clegg Jones.
The family would like to express our thanks to all his friends and neighbors who have loved and assisted him throughout his life, especially the last decade. He wanted each of you to know how much he loved you. Thanks to his adopted grandchildren, Meegan and David. Thank you to the staff at Cottonwood Creek Senior Living.
In lieu of flowers, Reed requested donations be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund at give.lds.org/pef.
A viewing will be held at Larkin Mortuary at 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT on Friday, June 12, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A viewing will also be held at the Arlington Hills Ward Chapel at 1300 Fairfax Road, Salt Lake City, UT on Saturday, June 13, 2015 from 9:30 to 10:45 am. Funeral will begin at 11:00 am. Burial will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
