Claron Louis Oakley, age 76, was reunited with his beloved Julia and myriad family and friends on July 10, 2001.
Claron was born to Louis Terry and Inez McDonald Oakley on October 1, 1924 in Provo, Utah.
After graduating from Provo High School in 1942 he enrolled at BYU. Shortly thereafter he was called to defend his country during World War II, serving with the Army in Europe. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to BYU where he remembers seeing "The most beautiful brunette in the world" go walking by. Inquiries were made and soon he was dating Miss Julia Hansen. Claron transferred to Northwestern University where he earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in journalism. The romance survived this separation and in the spring of 1948 Claron and Julia were sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
After a move to Southern California where he could practice his craft, fate led him to meet Jerry Pettis who had a new idea to aid in the education of doctors. Soon they co-founded Audio Digest in 1953 and grew the company into the world's largest and most respected purveyor of continuing medical education services. Known as "The voice of Audio Digest," Claron remained at its helm until his retirement in 1996. For his contributions, Claron received the American Medical Association's Citation for Distinguished Service in 1982, the California Medical Association's 1994 Award for Distinguished service, the BYU Emeritus Club's Special Recognition Award in 1994, and the Utah Medical Association's Presidential Citation in 1998. During these same years Claron participated in the joys and challenges of raising three children and serving his church for nine years as a Bishop of the East Pasadena Ward and 13 years in the Pasadena Stake Presidency. His influence was particularly meaningful to the youth, who saw in him a person of surpassing love, faith, and goodness who, at the same time, made being good seem so classy, beautiful, and fun. It has been said that it wasn't a Youth Conference if President Oakley wasn't there.
His sorrows included the loss of his Julia in May of 1972 and his beautiful Pasadena home to fire in 1993.
All who were blessed to know him will remember him as a warm smile, a happy laugh, a golden voice, someone who knew the difference between 'lay' and 'lie,' a loving hug, a sympathetic listening ear, sartorial perfection, Christmas Eve parties for the 'Lost and Lonely' and a huge, tender heart. He helped us recognize the illusion that is style, while his example showed us the beauty that is class.
"And should this sunlit world grow dark one day The colors of his life
Will leave a shining light
To show the way. . ."
He is survived by children, Ellen Skomro, Palmdale, CA; Bradford (Linda) Oakley, Taylorsville, UT; and Sara (Robert) Prested, Draper, UT; seven grandchildren; and one brother, Terry Dean Oakley.
Friends may call on Monday, July 16 from 6-8 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 So. Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, Utah. Funeral services will be held Sat., July 21 at 1 p.m. at the Pasadena Stake Center, 770 North Sierra Madre Villa Avenue, Pasadena, CA., where friends may call that same day from 11-12:30. Interment, Forest Lawn, Glendale, California.
Gratefully, Roslynn "Roz" Westover Bunting, surrounded by loved ones at home, left this world to join family members and friends on June 1, 2012. Born April 11, 1929, in Provo, Utah, daughter of Ralph and Alta Oakley Westover.
She loved and served diligently throughout her life. She was called to the Montana-Billings Mission. She and her youngest son, who would serve in the Spain-Barcelona Mission, spent time in the MTC together. She was a very loving and successful missionary and sorrowed when it was time to return home after 18 months. Roz was a dedicated, loving sister and served as an ordinance worker in the Jordan River Temple for many years. An avid Cougar fan, the people around her seats will miss her.
Roz loved the beauties of the creation and developed a passion and thirst for knowledge about them. She traveled extensively and loved to swim in the ocean and walk on the beach. When she saw her first lighthouse at an early age, she developed a passion for them and had an extensive knowledge of them. She also enjoyed stargazing and looked to the night sky for her beloved Venus. She was a "light" to those who knew her and a friend to anyone who needed her.
Six children survive: Stephen (Valerie), Kevin (Lori), Drue (Colleen), Chris Mowen (Ted), Tracy Van Raden (Roy), Tyler (Barbara); Nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents, her only brother, Louis Max Westover, and one grandchild, Melinda Leigh Bunting. A viewing will be held at the Holbrook Mortuary in Millcreek on Thursday, June 7 from 10am to 12pm. Graveside services to follow at the Provo City Cemetery at 2pm.