June 2, 1926 — February 24, 2016
Well done, thou good and faithful servant…
On the late spring day of June 2, 1926, amongst the towering red sandstone cliffs of Springdale, Utah, Clair was welcomed into the arms of parents Oren and Alberta Flanigan Ruesch. Growing up in the town of Virgin, Utah, during the depths of the Great Depression, Clair grew in stature within the loving home of his mom, dad and brothers. He spent many days as a young teen working the sawmill alongside his dad up in the Southern Utah mountains; these were some of the most cherished memories of his youth.
As a quiet 18-year-old young man, Clair dutifully answered the call of his country to leave his humble small-town home in Virgin for the muddy ringworm-invested foxholes and verdant, blood-saturated slopes of Okinawa, Japan, with the 96th Infantry Division “Deadeyes”…a life-shaping experience he would remain forever hesitant to describe.
Shortly after returning home from the Pacific, Clair married Doris Spendlove…that energetic little gal in town that now seemed all grown-up. Clair and Doris began their fairy tale life together on May 1 of 1947, and quickly began to grow their family. Their marriage was solemnized in the St. George Temple, setting a lifelong pattern of devotion to their Savior and Creator as eternal companions.
With devout and never-ending commitment to his sweetheart Doris, and their five children, Clair provided a comfortable home and upbringing for his family, beginning in Virgin and LaVerkin, ultimately landing in the midst of the atomic hub-bub of 1955 Las Vegas. Clair worked briefly at Nellis Air Force Base but soon settled into a lifelong career in Las Vegas’s surging laundry industry. Clair and Doris eventually retired to their little dream home in Washington City, Utah, around 1995. Clair was ever loyal and devoted to his wife, his children, his country, his Creator and his faith; loyalty and devotion were the very essence of Clair.
Clair was the last of eight Ruesch brothers to leave this earth…truly the end of an era. Due to what some would call “old age,” on February 24, 2016, Clair honorably completed his eventful earthly mission…and was called home. He is preceded in death by his parents Oren and Alberta Flanigan Ruesch, and his seven brothers Bertrand, Lyman, Jack, Jay, Oren Jr., Burdell and Garrett. He is survived by his dear wife of nearly 69 years, Doris Spendlove Ruesch, and their five children Terry Lanier, Kathy Harris (Steve), Jackie Stocks (Bill), Gayla Ruesch and Reymond Clair Ruesch (Cheryl Ann), grandchildren Shaun, Julianna, Vanessa, Zachary, Jeremiah, Aaron, Hillary, Oren, Anna, Willie, Mary Ellen, Nikolas, Benjamin and Alexander Clair, and many great-grandchildren.
Clair touched the lives of so many during his time here. He will always be remembered as the contemplative, quiet thinker, and the fierce defender of his family and faith. His legacy of silent service to others endures in each and every life he touched…his gentle and thoughtful demeanor lives on through his posterity.
Clair had a lifelong passion for learning, exploring new ideas and discovering new mysteries through reading. There is no doubt that he is, even now, busying himself exploring many vast new mysteries, and joyfully visiting with his brothers and friends. Until we meet again, Clair.
The family of Clair would like to offer their sincere gratitude to the staff of Red Cliffs Health and Rehab.
Funeral Services
- Funeral services will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Washington Stake Center located at 486 E Mangum Rd on Friday, March 4, 2016, at 11:00 a.m.
- A viewing will be held the prior evening, Thursday, March 3, 2016, at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 W. St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and one hour prior to services at the Stake Center.
- Interment will be at the Virgin Pioneer Memorial Cemetery around 1 p.m. on Friday, after which family and friends are invited to return to the Washington Stake Center for lunch.
Arrangements under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. For condolences, full obituary, and funeral listings please visit www.metcalfmortuary.com