Samuel Clair Bankhead

Samuel Clair Bankhead

LAYTON a€" Samuel Clair Bankhead, 76, died at home on May 30, 2009 of leukemia. He faced his illness with courage, grace and good humor. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he was also a friend to all and a much-loved church leader, influencing many through his service.

Clair was born February 18, 1933 to Samuel Leo and Harriet Taylor Bankhead in Logan, Utah. He was raised in Avon, Utah, and graduated from South Cache High School. He married his sweetheart, Mary Jean Bailey, on June 12, 1951 in the Logan Temple. He earned a masters degree from Utah State University and served in the Army following the Korean conflict. He resided with his wife and children in Paradise, Bountiful, and Layton, Utah. He was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving faithfully in many callings including Scout Master, High Councilman, Bishop, Stake President, and Stake Patriarch.

Clair worked for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for over 30 years. As Director of the Real Estate Department he traveled extensively throughout the world seeking sites for temples and other properties, working closely with the First Presidency. He had a lifetime love for farming and ranching and maintained several acres of farmland and a herd of beef cattle. He and his wife enjoyed traveling with their children or with friends, and Clair enjoyed hunting trips with his boys.

Clair is survived by his loving and supportive wife, Mary Jean, and seven children, Douglas Bankhead (Marilou), Melanie Thacker, Paul Bankhead (Connie), Gina Elder (Robert), Karen Bankhead, Dan Bankhead (Heidi), John Bankhead (Shannon), 25 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, brothers Leo Spence Bankhead (Diane) and George Dee Bankhead (Anita), sisters Barbara Thompson (Max) and Lois Faye Leishman (Reed).

He is preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law, Jim Thacker.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the Layton Hills Stake Center, 2300 No. 1200 W. Friends and family may call Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the stake center.

Interment, Paradise City Cemetery, Cache County, Utah at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund.

The family expresses appreciation to LaDee Dangerfied, Dr. Clyde Ford, Dr. Finn Bo Petersen and the wonderful staff of LDS Hospital 8 East Bone Marrow unit, Dr. Kelly Stoker, IHC Hospice nurses, and Dawn Amberson.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7