Clarin Dee Ashby, April 9, 1930 – October 24, 2014

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Clarin Dee Ashby, beloved husband, father and a dear friend to many, passed away early Friday morning, Oct. 24, 2014 in Roosevelt. He was known to many as a publisher of two newspapers, a composer of five books, and for having a love for his Savior Jesus Christ that translated into many long hours serving those around him no matter the need.
Clarin was born on April 9, 1930 in Midview, Utah to John Latham Ashby and Mabel Lurina Pickup. The family was involved with agriculture in both the Uinta Basin and Murray, Utah. On the farm is where Clarin learned all about hard work and working hard until the job is done. He also started his education in becoming a “Jack of all Trades” giving him talents and abilities that he used throughout his life.
Clarin graduated from Murray High School where he was involved in playing in a dance band. It was at one of these dances that he met and then courted his future wife Julia Margene Mantle. They were married on Sept. 16, 1948 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.
Clarin was preceded in death by his parents and six of his seven brothers and sisters – Edith, Geneva, Leo, Wayne, Evan, Francis and a granddaughter Jessica Ashby. He is survived by a sister Melva (Chris) Sorensen, and three sister-in-laws Jenette, Joyce and Ethel Ashby, children Jean (Ralph) Ercanbrack, Kevin (Sandra) Ashby, Craig (Colette) Ashby, Kaelyn (Randy) Myers, and Sharon Ashby, 36 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grand children.
Clarin became a newspaper publisher when he purchased the Emery County Progress in 1956. In those early years in Emery County he found out that it takes someone with a special personality to be able to work with the demands and deadlines of newspapers. And he found that he loved the job. He continued his newspaper career when he purchased the Uintah Basin Standard in 1965 and moved to Roosevelt, Utah.
Because he developed a love for the communities served by his newspapers, he had a goal to write a personal column and editorial each week, a feat he completed for the 23 years he served as publisher. During his tenure as publisher his newspapers were recognized for quality reporting receiving a variety of awards for overall excellence in layout and design, writing, community service and photography.
Mixed in with his success as a publisher, Clarin was always active in his LDS church responsibilities. He served in a bishopric, on several high councils, music director, scouting and later in life as stake patriarch. For many years you could find Clarin staying busy with Golden Green Balls, scout campouts and ward cookouts. Clarin, with his wife Margene, also served two LDS missions to Australia.
One of Clarin’s most discernable talents was his ability to express himself through words. Along with his success in the newspaper business, Clarin took the time to publish five books including several others pertaining to his personal history and another featuring his collection of original prose and poetry. These books will be remembered as a great legacy that he leaves to his posterity.
Clarin will also be remembered for his love of music and his deep bass voice. Over the years he played the bass fiddle in dance bands and sang in a variety of choirs. When he was in Roosevelt he helped to formulate a 16 voice group which performed the Messiah each year at Christmas time, a tradition that continues to this day.
After selling the Uintah Basin Standard to his sons in 1978, Clarin and Margene accepted a job as recruiters and tour directors for a company known as America’s Youth in Concert where an orchestra, band and choir was formed to tour and perform in Europe each summer. He then finished his career as a public relations manager for Deseret G&T during the construction of the Bonanza Power Plant.
To summarize his life, Clarin loved his family, his God, his jobs, serving others and being in the outdoors either hunting, fishing, river running, boating or flying. He will be remembered for his hard work, love of community and dedication to his wife and family.
Funeral services will be held in the Roosevelt 8th Ward LDS chapel located at 150 South Skyline Drive in Roosevelt at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29. A viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the Hullinger Mortuary located at 457 E 300 N in Roosevelt, and on Oct. 29 and one hour prior to the funeral services. Interment will be at the Roosevelt Cemetery under the direction of Hullinger Funeral Home.