Clair Nymphas Murdock passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 6, 2018 at the George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home in Ogden, Utah.
Clair was born October 28, 1934 in Heber, Utah to Lynn Nymphas Murdock and Mina Showalter. He married the love of his life, Doris Ovard on June 7, 1954. After Doris' death on February 23, 2006, he married his second sweetheart, Molly Mills, on March 23, 2010.
Clair got his bachelor's degree in Geology at BYU before joining the Navy in 1956. He briefly left in 1960 to finish his schooling and received a Masters of Science in Geology from Utah State University. He worked as a civil engineer on Flaming Gorge Dam in Utah before rejoining the Navy in 1963. In the Navy, he served on several regional commands including COMMINEFLOT THREE and as the Commander of the Naval Reserve Training Centers in Bellingham, Washington; Newburgh, New York; Middletown, New York; Tacoma, Washington; and Minneapolis, Minnesota. He served two full tours in Vietnam and on several ships including USS Butner, USS Noble, USS Mitchell, and the aircraft carrier USS Lexington. He received a Bronze Star and the Navy Commendation Medal. Clair Murdock dedicated his life and career serving for more than 24 years, finally retiring as a Commander in 1980. He had a personal and professional motto that "if you are going to do something…Do It In Style!" This motto is well known to all who knew him and exemplified his dedication to his career, church, and family.
Clair was an active and dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was a Branch President at the age of 23 and served in many positions including: Elders Quorum President and High Priest Group Leader. He loved Genealogy and family history work and spent many days carefully documenting his ancestry. He later proudly served as a missionary in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He loved to visit the different temples around the world including the ones in London, Hong Kong and Hawaii.
Clair is survived by his six children, Marcina (Malcolm) Shannon, Lisa (Michael) Stevens, Eric Clair (Penny) Murdock, Elizabeth Ann (Abdul) Jaber, Manena (Patrick) Duncan, and Danielle (Paul) Holley, his sisters: Lynda Harrison, and LuAnn Jensen, 20 Grandchildren, and 27 Great-Grandchildren
Clair was preceded in death by his father and mother, brother Don Leroy, and his wives Doris and Molly.
A small graveside service will be held at the Henefer Cemetery in Henefer, Utah Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.
Special thanks to the George E Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home, Bristol Hospice, Connie Koenemann and Blue Velvet for all of the love and care they gave to Clair Murdock during his final days.
