Clair M. Whitlock

1927 - 2015

Clair M Whitlock
1927 - 2015
Clair Whitlock passed away on December 15, 2015 in his home, surrounded by family. Clair had a good life—productive and creative, doing work he believed in. Growing up as a cowboy in Sanpete County, Utah and attending Utah State University prepared Clair to be a conservationist and public land management leader.
Clair received the Department of the Interior two highest honors, the Meritorious Service and the Distinguished Service awards. Clair joined the BLM in 1952 as a Range Conservationist in Salmon, Idaho. These were the BLM's early years—a time of many "firsts" in public land management. As the Elko District Manager, Clair battled an especially fierce firestorm in 1964. This experience inspired Clair to improve firefighter safety and rangeland fire restoration. In 1973, he devised the Firefighter Qualification Standards and training requirements for the Incident Command System, which professionalized wildlife firefighting. He also established a seed warehouse in the 1950's that thrives today as part of a network of warehouses critical to the BLM's habitat restoration efforts. Clair later led a team that established the role and structure of the Boise Interagency Fire Center, now NIFC.
As State Director, Clair established Wilderness Study Areas for both Idaho and Arizona. Clair's early efforts to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands made possible their wilderness designation by Congress in 2009. The Snake River Canyon that held a special place in Clair's heart. He protected raptor nesting in the Snake River Canyon south of Kuna in the 1970's, and after he retired he worked tirelessly to convince Congress to create the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.
Clair was a role model for many. Throughout his career, he mentored and trained untold number of young staff. In the 1970's and 1980's, Clair championed the establishment of the BLM's current National Training Center. He also developed and piloted Public Land History courses for BLM employees.
Clair's contributions to public land management continued after he retired from the BLM in 1985. He sustained his love of the Snake River Canyon for 20 years by organizing the Snake River Raptors Volunteers. Clair also continued to assist BLM with leadership training and chaired various review teams.
Clair was born to Merrill and Bardella Whitlock on May 5, 1927 in Mayfield, Utah where he grew up. Clair's early years revolved around farm and ranch chores. Clair entered the Army as World War II was ending; he served in the Medical Corps in the British West Indies. Clair put himself through college by cowboying in Utah and Nevada as well as working part-time for the Forest Service in Oregon and Utah. He received his B.S. in Range Management in 1953 from Utah State University and received their lifetime achievement award in 2000. Clair played the saxophone and ukulele. He had a beautiful singing voice and was frequently called on to sing at funerals, parties and other events.
Clair courted Betty Vest a neighbor in Mayfield for six years before they married in 1954. Following their honeymoon, they moved to Salmon, Idaho. They had three children, Jo Ann, James and Jenna Lee. Clair's work took him and his family all over the West and Washington, D.C. Clair and his family would explore and enjoy their new communities, taking advantage of outdoor activities as well as visiting historical and cultural sites. Clair and Betty were avid tennis players. Clair played tennis and skied well into his mid-80's. Clair and Betty celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary floating the Noatak River, north of the Arctic Circle in Alaska, for three weeks. After Clair retired from the BLM, he and Betty raised registered Angus cattle in Kuna, Idaho.
Clair was a history buff and voracious reader. He and Betty enjoyed traveling and exploring the history and culture of various regions of the U.S. and other countries. While living in Anchorage in the late 1970's, Clair took up sculpting soapstone. Over the years, he created over 35 pieces of sculpture.
In the end, it was Clair's family that was most important to him. He instilled a love of the land and of learning in his children and grandchildren. Clair is survived by Betty Vest Whitlock, his wife of 62 years, and his three children, Jo Ann Davich, James M Whitlock and Jenna Lee Whitlock. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren (Goldie Davich, Mark Davich (Inger), Bryce Whitlock (Beckah), Jessica Skollingsberg, Anna Morales (Temoc), Megan Whitlock and Beau Whitlock) and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Marilyn Crowell (Ross). He was preceded in death by his parents, Merrill and Bardella Whitlock, and his two brothers, Don and Lee Whitlock.
A memorial service will be held at Cloverdale Funeral Home on Monday, December 28, 2015, at 2 PM. The address is 1200 North Cloverdale Road, Boise, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Peregrine Fund.