James Clare Reed

James Clare Reed, 94, of Ririe, passed away August 3, 2013, at his home. He was born August 23, 1918 on Butler Island near Ririe, Idaho to James Henry Reed and Maude Armstrong Reed, and spent his childhood assisting on the family farms near Ririe and Birch Creek. He attended school in Ririe Idaho and was in the first freshman class of the new Ririe High School. He was class president of his junior class. He attended the University of Idaho Southern Branch and graduated from Utah State Agriculture College. The day after graduation in June 1942 he joined the United States Marine Corps. He served as a Marine Lieutenant in 4 major battles in the South Pacific: Guadalcanal, Vela La Vella, Peleliu, and Okinowa. His Marine Company received a Presidential Citation for their valor at Peleliu, one of the most ferocious battles of the South Pacific. On May 8, 1943 Clare married Gwenevere Hymas, a very talented and accomplished musician. He shipped overseas 10 days later. They were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple in December of 1944. With her musical talents Gwen opened many doors for him in their many moves to new locations. After the war he worked for the United States Department of Agriculture as a Range Conservationist in west Texas. He was then a Soil Conservationist in Great Falls, Montana, American Falls, Idaho, Wenatchee, Washington and Rexburg, Idaho. While in Rexburg, Clare and his staff were awarded the U.S.A.D. Superior Service Award by the Secretary of Agriculture, Ezra Taft Benson. He last assignment was as an Area Conservationist in Bismarck, North Dakota where he covered much of the state. After retiring in 1978, he moved back to Idaho to his farm near Ririe, Idaho which is just down the road from where he grew up. Farm life was always his great love. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many positions including bishoprics, Sunday School President, Branch President in Bismarck for 10 years, District Councilor to two Indian Reservations, Scout Commissioner, Scoutmaster, High Councilor, and High Priest Group Leader. He and his wife, Gwen, served as Temple Officiators in the Idaho Falls Temple for 19 years. He also served as a Temple Sealer. He and his wife also served together on a mission to the Hopi Indians in Arizona. Wherever he lived, Clare was active in many community and civic activities. He was a charter member of the Rexburg Kiawanas Club and a member of the local Lions Club in Wenatchee. His main interests outside of his family and work were most everything outdoors – fishing, boating, snowmobiling, and golfing. He also loved to travel and was able to visit several countries and all but two states in the United States. Clare is survived by his 5 children: Steve (Ranel) Reed of Blackfoot, Terry “Jack” (Sandy) Reed and Ronald (Gayle) Reed of Ririe, Sharon Jones of Aurora, CO, and Evelyn (Bruce) Bryner of Idaho Falls; 25 grandchildren; and 52 great-grandchildren, with 4 more on the way; siblings: Ruth Withers, Gale (Delila) Reed, Delaine (Moylen) Young, Barbara (J. Richard) Clarke and Carol Sue Nef. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gwen; his parents; his brothers: Verdas Reed and Glenn Reed; his sisters: Eloise, and Eleanor Graham Bennion, and his son-in-law Harold Jones. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 6, at the Ririe Stake Center, 14061 N. 130 E. in Ririe. The family will visit with family and friends from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday August 5th at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main St. in Rigby, and from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery. The family wishes to thank our nurse and the aides from Aspen Hospice who lovingly assisted in caring for our father.