Calvin Chipman Clegg, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully in his North Salt Lake home on October 5, 2023, surrounded by family at the age of 83.
Calvin was born in El Paso, Texas on August 1, 1940 during World War II to Heber Milton and Delma Clarke Chipman Clegg. Soon after Calvin’s birth, Heber, an FBI agent, was deployed to South America to monitor Nazi and pro-Nazi groups, returning home shortly before Calvin’s first birthday. His parents' sacrifices during World War II instilled in him a deep sense of patriotism and a commitment to serving others.
Calvin’s childhood was a whirlwind of new experiences and cultures. His father's FBI career took the family which included his two brothers Milt and Chuck on international assignments to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, as well as stateside assignments to Arizona, California, and ultimately Utah. These frequent moves challenged Calvin at an early age to quickly assimilate into new cultures and establish long-term relationships with people from all walks of life.
Calvin spent most of his high school and college years in Utah, graduating from East High School in 1958 and the University of Utah with a B.A. in Spanish and Political Science in 1965. A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served a two-and-a-half-year mission in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which he often called the "school of eternity" for the profound impact it made on his spiritual and personal development. Calvin’s fluency in Spanish and Portuguese was a key asset in his career and church service, allowing him to connect with diverse communities and build strong relationships with them.
Shortly after returning home from his mission, Calvin paused in front of a campaign poster on the University of Utah campus and commented, “I want to meet that girl!” Thanks to a fortunate encounter at a dance, the two soon became “Cal and Gayle” and would remain so for the rest of their life. They married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 14, 1964 and began building a life together that revolved around faith, family and service.
With love as their foundation and college diplomas in hand, they moved to Florida to launch their careers and begin their family. Calvin worked for the CIA for two years, while Gayle taught high school history until the birth of their first child, Daniel Calvin Clegg. The CIA paved the way for Calvin to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a Special Agent in the FBI, where he served from 1967 to 1993.
Calvin's FBI career gave his young family many of the same opportunities and cultural experiences that he himself had experienced as a child. Calvin’s domestic assignments moved the family to Arizona, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. All four of their daughters – Tina, Lisa, Cheryl and Emily – were born during that time. Calvin served as the FBI's chief of operations in Brasilia and Buenos Aires from 1974 to 1980 covering seven countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Peru.
With their children now entering their teenage years, Cal and Gayle chose to complete their career path in the place where it all began, Salt Lake City. During his years in Utah, Calvin served as a case agent, hostage negotiator, media spokesperson, and applicant recruiter, hiring over 100 support staff, linguists, analysts, and special agents, including his son, a third-generation Special Agent who served 25 years. After retiring from the FBI in 1993, Calvin worked for three years as the Director of Security at Huntsman Corporation, a role that drew on his extensive experience in law enforcement and security. In addition to his work in the private sector, Calvin returned to public service as a member of the youth parole board for twelve years.
Calvin was a huge sports fan, especially the Utah Utes. He cheered and yelled on his Ute Family with unparalleled energy, whether directed at the field, or the sports radio dial. He had a deep reverence for nature and wildlife and treasured the time spent hiking in his backyard Wasatch Range, or casting upstream in a favorite river.
Calvin worked hard to balance his career with family development, community service, and personal hobbies. His service in a community of faith was consistent throughout his life. He served in almost every capacity as a member of the LDS church, including the bishop of the San Fernando, Argentina Ward. After retirement, Cal and Gayle would combine their faith and professionalism as missionary servants in Portugal (Lisbon North Mission President) and Malaga, Spain. He fulfilled an assignment as Interim MTC President in Madrid and later served in the Bountiful Temple Presidency.
Despite his many interests and a distinguished career, his greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Gayle Muhlestein Clegg, his brother Chuck (Dixie) Clegg, his 5 children, Dan (Lora) Clegg, Tina (Paul) McMaster, Lisa (Shayne) Barney, Cheryl (Tom) Anderson, Emily (Rob) Hansen, 19 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Milton (Mary, still living) Clegg.
Calvin consistently emphasized to his family that they came first. He was a loving and present mentor in the lives of his children and grandchildren, instilling in them the belief that they could achieve anything. He took immense joy in attending their performances, sports competitions, and celebrations. He unwaveringly supported and championed his family and loved them unconditionally. He considered his 375 Lisbon missionaries as family and treasured his ongoing reunions and associations with them through his final days of life. He had a love of people at home and abroad and lived a rich life of joy, adventure, and learning. He will be missed deeply by his family and friends, but they are so grateful to call him theirs.
Funeral services will be held at Cal and Gayle’s home ward chapel at 351 Lofty Lane in North Salt Lake, Utah.
Viewing: Monday October 16, 2023 6pm-8pm, Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple.
Viewing: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 9:30am-10:30am, at the church.
Funeral: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 11am, at the church.
Interment: Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 E. 1300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah.
For those unable to attend, services will be streamed via Zoom. Please click on the watch services link above.
My deepest condolences for the sudden loss of our dear Calvin Clegg. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sister Clegg, I am so sorry for your loss. You and President Clegg were an inspiration to so many including myself. Our time in Portugal was life changing and your love, guidance and direction have been felt throughout my life. I wish you peace and comfort as you wait for the day to be joined with President Clegg again. I am sure he is in the other side continuing the great missionary service
My heart goes out to you. President Clegg was was a good man and touched many lives.
This week, I have reflected on President Nelson's words, "Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of pure love. It is a natural response in complete accord with divine commandment: “Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die.” (D&C 42:45.) Moreover, we can’t fully appreciate joyful reunions later without tearful separations now. The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life."
Please know that we mourn with you. We celebrate President's life with you. We love you.
Dearest Sister Clegg and family,
God bless you with peace and joy at the passing of your husband, father, and grandfather. President Clegg touched and shaped the lives of hundreds of missionaries and thousands of Portuguese Saints through his humble and devoted and kind service. We were so inspired by him and by you Sister Clegg. You showed us the way to serve and love the people of Portugal the way the Savior does it. I am so grateful to have the example of righteous and faithful men in my life, and President Clegg was right on the top of that list. I am now determined to live my life so that I can be reunited with him again and express my love and thanks personally. - Elder Clay Hunt (in Portugal from Oct 1996-Jul 1998)
President, thank you for teaching what's most important in this life; the hope that the plan of salvation and the Savior brings to us will sustain us through this difficult time. God be with you until we meet again! um grande abraco!
Our prayers are with Sister Clegg and all your family!
Sister Clegg e Família, que o Senhor os possa confortável nesta hora difícil onde a saudade irá prevalecer.
Presidente Clegg será sempre uma excelente referência de amor e compreensão na minha vida. Ele fez a diferença quando me "enviou" para a missão. Grata para sempre. Que o Senhor o possa receber de braços abertos e que um dia possamos nos reencontrar de novo. Deus vos abençoe.
Com Amor, São Lopes Violante
My deepest condolences to the Clegg family.
Pres. Clegg made a great impact in my life, through his words and actions.
He simply followed Christ.
Every time that I look to the Lisbon Temple, I think in Pres. Clegg and Sister Clegg dedication, love and vision during their ministry in Portugal. He always talk about the blessing that one day, the Portuguese saints would have a temple in their own land.
... and it happened.
I love him.
I miss his smile.
Be at peace.
Till we meet again.
Com amor...
Elder Dos Santos
(Lisbon North Mission, 95-97)
We love the whole Clegg Family and we are so grateful they are our family. Cal has always been such a wonderful example to us as a great husband, father, and grandfather. He also was always a wonderful example as one of the Lord's servants. He loved the Lord and he loved others completely. And we love Cal and will miss him greatly!
Dan,
On behalf of all your fellow retired federal law enforcement brethren at U.S. Embassy San Salvador INL office we all wish to extend our most sincere condolences for your loss. May your father's memory forever be a blessing and comfort to you. Sincerely, Jay
My condolences to the Clegg family. President influenced my life in so many ways. I will always look up to him. My thoughts and prayers are with you Sister Clegg. God speed President!
Sister Clegg & family,
My deepest condolences to you all at the passing of your sweetheart, father, grandfather and our dear mission president, Cal. He was one of a kind and his passing leaves a big void, no doubt! I am so grateful for the blessing of knowing him and as a gentle yet powerful leader and his influence on me at an important stage of life. Wishing you all strength and comfort!
Thinking of you and all your family with love and prayers. What a remarkable man. We were blessed to know him.
Dawn and l send our condolences and heart felt sorrow for Calvin, his spouse and wonderful family. Although l have been out of touch for too long, l still have fond memories of Calvin and the employees of the FBI of Salt Lake City.
Respectfully,
Myron & Dawn Fuller
Dear Cal’s family,
Oh how I loved my cousin Cal .. I will miss everything about him that I was able to know throughout my life .. especially his eye lid talent 😉. God bless you all and may your memories become treasures .. they are worth more than gold. With all my heartfelt love.
Your cousin Berta Clegg Richins
What an incredible life he lived! Lisa, and family, you are all in my thoughts and prayers at this sad and difficult time.
I can’t recall ever seeing Uncle Cal without a smile. He was truly a mountain of a man that inspired those around him to reach for more out of life. He’ll be sorely missed. My heart goes out to Aunt Gayle and all his children and grandchildren. He must still be smiling on the other side of the veil as he gets to engage in the Lord’s work with a new calling.
Many thanks to your family for your service in Portugal. I feel fortunate to have crossed paths with you, Sister Clegg, and Sweet President Clegg. You were both a great influence for good in my life as a young missionary. I will always be grateful to have had a small space in your lives. Condolences to you and your family.
Dear Clegg family, it was with sadness that i heard the passing away of president Clegg(this was the name by i got to know him).
I became a member during his service as a mission president in my country, Portugal. I’ll never forget his loving smile, as well as a couple of years later when i decided to serve as missionary and before i went to the Provo MTC they took time to say hello while staying in Salt Lake.
I Wish you, sister Clegg, that the Lord may grant to you the peace and love you need, during this time, together with all your relatives.
Rui Violante❤️
We love you President and Sister Clegg! What an incredible life you both have given to so many. I am one of those who has been blessed and mentored immensely by your love, service and example. My life is immensely better because of you both, thank you! I love and miss you President Clegg and my love and prayers are with you Sister Clegg.
My mission to Portugal was transformative. President and Sister Clegg helped to create an experience where I could be stretched and also strengthened. In addition to their leadership, I took life lessons in relationships from the way the treated us and from the way they obviously cherished one another. I loved everything about my mission, including the Cleggs.
With love and faith,
Cali Browning Young
Dear Gayle and Family,
Merrilee and I send our deepest condolences and wishes for peace at Cal's passing. As you know, he and I go way back in years pre-mission, mission in Argentina together, many hours trying to best one another in tennis, Lake Tahoe trip, weddings and lots of fun visits. He was surely one of the finest friends I ever had, and undoubtedly one of the fastest men to occasion a smile and laugh at the slightest opportunity. He will live in my heart of memories forever. Thanks to you and Tina for the wonderful obituary. Quite a man.
Calvin Clegg was a genuine gift to know. I really think he was the only and exact person to be in charge at a really influential time in my life. He vacillated between either genuinely adoring me or just roll his eyes in good humor knowing there wasn’t much else to do. He maintained a positive, supportive, and practical approach to life with a good balance of good humor and fun (he could yo-yo like nobody’s business!). I’m so glad I knew him and sad I never shared with him how important he was to me.
What a beautiful funeral . Rest In peace good friend . God Bless Your Family.
Sister Clegg and family,
Our deepest condolences for the loss of President Clegg. What a life well served! As one of your missionaries, your love, care, and leadership was so very influential during those years of service, and that influence has carried on to the present day. Your relationship with one another was also a great example to me. You modeled mutual love, respect, and cooperation. It was also evident that you knew how to have a good time together! Thank you for serving and for sharing that part of your life with me. The spiritual growth during that time as well as the temporal lessons learned during my two years serving with you touch me every single day of my life. Thank you!
No doubt one of our best next door neighbors Cal, having lived a wonderful and productive life has moved on to the next stage, a wonderful place. We will surely miss him as we snowplowed our combined driveways together and watched the Jazz play ball. Gayle we extend to you our condolences at this glorious time of life for Cal as he has chosen to return. Love Lynn and Sherrie
We love you President and Sister Clegg and the Clegg family! You have been like parents to so many people all around the world. Your example of love, service, sacrifice, and doing things with smiles will never be forgotten. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Portugal together. And I will cherish the time we spent serving together, laughing together, learning together, fishing together, and talking about our Utes together :)
Maybe the Lord bless you Sister Clegg and family.
Um Grand Abraço!
Alan and Abby
Tina, I am so sorry to hear if your dad’s passing. I remember your folks as kind, fun, and hardworking. You have their sparkle in your eyes and demeanor. May you find comfort in happy remembrances as you grieve.