Our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather was born to Clarence Leo Skoubye and Nora Mann on February 27, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was raised with his sister Dorothy “Jackie” Skoubye Roblez (Victor-deceased). Clair was blessed with two special women in his life. He married Norma Jean Bennett on August 24, 1950 in the Logan Utah Temple. They became the proud parents of seven children. Norma died on December 27, 1998. Five years later, Clair married A. Lynne Steiner Bennett in April 2003.
Clair served his country for three years in the armed forces—one year in the U.S. Navy and two years in the U.S. Army. Clair was talented in many areas of his life. Clair’s occupation was a draftsman. He loved the piano and played classical music besides the sacred hymns. Clair left a legacy of service to others touching many lives. He loved projects and could often be found under a kitchen sink, behind a washing machine, under the hood of a car, building or remodeling houses, or drafting plans. He could fix anything. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Clair was 79 when he and Lynne accepted a call to serve in the mission office of the Samoa Apia Mission.
We will miss him dearly. We will miss his smile, his laughter, and his views on politics. Clair lacked guile and loved everyone. Death is bittersweet, but the knowledge that in a coming day we will be reunited with him makes his passing bearable.
Clair was surrounded by loved ones: children: Dan Bennett Skoubye (Julia), David Evan Skoubye (Annette), Ellen Skoubye Wallace (Clark), Susan Skoubye Clarke (Robert), Clair Bennett Skoubye (Lenore), Paul Bennett Skoubye, and Jeff Bennett Skoubye (Jennifer). Lynne and her deceased husband Kenneth E. Bennett have three loving daughters: DeAnne Bennett Bowers (Kevin), Barbara Bennett, and Leslie Bennett Benson (Larry). Clair and Norma have 30 grandchildren, 80 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren (with one more great-great grandchild on the way). Clair was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Jean Bennett, grandson Jonathan Skoubye, and great-grandson Declan Skoubye.
A family funeral will be held at noon on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at the Sandy Utah Central Stake Center, 1050 E. Galena Drive, Sandy, Utah 84094. The viewing will be held before the funeral from 10:30 am -11:30 am. Due to the pandemic the viewing and funeral will be for family members only and masks will be required.
We invite you to join the services virtually by clicking on the blue "Watch Services" box above.
To share a favorite memory or express your condolences, please visit larkincares.com.
Clair was a truly wonderful person. Our condolences to all of his family.
I’ll always remember how kind my Uncle Clair was. I’ll always remember him laughing and telling stories. I have t seen him in years, but I know how much he meant to my mother and I’ll never forget his kind, gentle way.
Clair always made you feel important and was a true friend. He leaves a great legacy of wonderful memories. This sounds so trite, but is absolutely true.
Clair and Norma, when I first moved into the neighborhood, I turned to you for love and comfort. It was a time when I needed unconditional love and security, and you gave it to me. Thank you for taking me into your home as though I was one of your own. I cherish moments I spent with you and your family. It has been a foundation for my life even until today. Clair, you are a special angel sent from heaven to bless and love so many people like me. The goodness you have displayed through your life will be a legacy for generations to come. You young skoubyes are fortunate to have such a great soul to be your father. I hope you know how precious your father was. Honor his name by doing what your father has done so effortlessly. Clair and Norma, I love you with all my heart. I look forward to seeing you again one day.
Mike Seipel
Brother Skoubye was a great blessing in my life. He worked at Chicago Bridge and Iron Company for many years. After my first year of college, he recommended me for a summer secretarial position at the company. Because of his reputation for being honest and having integrity, they hired me solely on his recommendation. I was very inexperienced at the time. For 3 years, broken up when I served a mission, until the company closed in about 1983, I was hired back every summer. This not only helped my pay for college, but it gave me excellent work experience. The company was in Salt Lake and Brother Skoubye along with other men who worked there allowed me to car pool with them each day to work. Without this assistance, I would have had no way to get to work. I have always been deeply grateful for Brother Skoubye's integrity which paved the way for me to pay for my college education. What a tender mercy to receive blessings because of someone else's willingness to serve God. In ways, what he did for me, a young, inexperienced student, is a miniature example of what the Savior did for us. I will be eternally grateful to Brother Skoubye for helping me get through college.
Uncle Clair was such a wonderfully positive person. I remember how much fun we had as small children with the Skoubye family at Christmas.
I am sorry for your loss, and my condolences to the entire Skoubye family. My fondest memory of Uncle Clair was his playing the piano, and specifically "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" right before Pop came out dressed as Santa Claus and handed out gifts to all the kids in the Roblez and Skoubye families. Uncle Clair was one of the nicest people I've ever met. He only had positive things to say about people, and I believe the world would be a much nicer place if we could all be like Uncle Clair in this regard. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, he was just plain fun to be around. I will certainly miss him.
Dan and Julia, so sorry to hear about your dad's passing. Sending love and comfort your way. Miss you both. Kim & Scott Stevens