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Clay Holbrook Obituary
1977~2023
Farmington, UT - Clay Ryan Holbrook was born on May 21, 1977, the oldest of three boys born to Kirk and Shelley Holbrook in Bountiful, Utah. His passing on January 30, 2023, has left an enormous void in our hearts.
Clay Holbrook has been a soccer enthusiast his entire life. At four years old, he began playing recreational league soccer and graduated to competitive play by the age of eight. Clay played for Woods Cross High School, winning the State Cup title his senior year. That same year his competition team went on to win second place in the Nation for his age group. Needless to say, Clay Holbrook is soccer.
Clay has three children-Abby, Hank, and Jed-who have all played soccer throughout their lives. Clay coached all three throughout their formative years, teaching them to play their best no matter which sport they were engaged in.
As his three children grew and progressed, other parents noticed that Clay had a unique ability to teach his children valuable life skills along with specific soccer skills, and they petitioned him to share his abilities. As more and more parents enthusiastically encouraged Clay to coach their children, he decided to sign up for coaching certification classes, making it official for him to coach according to the established structure of the Utah Youth Soccer Association League. After becoming certified, Clay not only helped coach his own kids' teams but took on several additional teams. His coaching approach created a winning environment for kids to grow and progress and learn life and soccer skills along the way.
Clay had a regular full-time job at HF Sinclair, where he had been employed since 1995. He began his career at the Woods Cross Refinery, where he worked as a yard laborer, moving through several positions within operations, including Operations Training Supervisor, and finally as a Fired Heater Specialist for the corporate Mechanical Integrity group. Clay loved his Work family and spoke highly of the many cherished relationships he acquired over his 28 years working among them. Clay loved his full-time job almost as much as his real passion in life, which was coaching the kids he'd come to love on the soccer field. Driver by his love of the game and his big heart, Clay spent a significant share of his off-work time coaching and improving lives. Clay wasn't a screamer or abusive in any way, but calmly and methodically taught and instructed those having the opportunity to work with him. He did what only Clay Holbrook could do: teach the game of soccer with grace and goodness.
Clay coached teams for La Roca, Forza, and finally helped with the formation and coaching of Metasport. Over the last few years, with encouragement from Andrea and his love of the boys he'd coached for years, he assisted with coaching the boys at Farmington High School, GO PHOENIX!
Clay is survived by his dear wife of 25 years, Andrea; daughter, Abby Hunter (Kody); sons, Hank Holbrook and Jed Holbrook; Granddaughter, Quinn Hunter; Grandson, Hudson Hunter; parents, Kirk & Shelley Holbrook; brothers, Flint & Tiffanee Holbrook, Andrew & Kami Holbrook; In-Laws, Dave & Julie White, Jason & Rachel White, Kent & Nichole Lewis, Michael & Kortney White, and numerous nephews and nieces.
And finally, he is survived by a multitude of people for whom Clay was "the best coach/friend ever." That includes practically everyone he has ever met. Clay knew no strangers. He considered every person he came in contact with-whether on a conference call, soccer field, or walking on the street-as important, interesting, and worthy of his friendship and attention. And the driving force and theme of his life was love and service to others
Clay Holbrook, you will be missed!
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, February 6, 2023 at the Farmington Bay Stake Center, 549 S. 1525 W., Farmington. A viewing will be held Sunday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary & Crematory, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, and again Monday morning 11:30-12:30 am at the church prior to services. Interment- Bountiful City Cemetery.
Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and the Russon Mortuary & Crematory website obituary. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Clay Holbrook
Sponsored by Russon Brothers - Farmington/Kaysville.
6 Entries
Russ Lowe
February 7, 2023
Clay, you were truly one-of-a-kind, my friend. None of us will ever forget you, and we will smile every time we think of you cracking jokes, teasing Hub or Wade or some other bystander mercilessly - but then quickly pulling them in close with a big bear hug with those cast-iron 2x4s for forearms of yours and lovingly reassure them you were just kidding, and somehow it would always turn into a moment of tenderness and deepen every friendship. Your fierce loyalty, deep love of your people, your work ethic -and perhaps most of all- your integrity to who you were as a man, are examples I'll take with me and reflect on when I need a reference point in life to remind me of the man I hope to be. Somehow you possessed an uncanny sense of self-knowledge that you seemingly just always had, and never lost. This allowed you to share your authentic self in life with everyone you encountered in incredibly generous, and impactful ways - and there's not one of us who came together to celebrate you this week that weren't better, happier and full of the warmth of your friendship for having had the chance to spend time with you. Your family is our family, and your community will take care of them. We love you, Clay. We always will, and you'll live on with us in spirit and heartfelt memories.
Matthew Woolley
February 6, 2023
Clay was a great guy, great friend, great person, and outstanding teammate. I remember Luke it was yesterday a goal he scored in Western Regionals in Bakersfield against Pumas Unam when we were kids. It was only one of many memorable things Clay did in and off the field. I remember playing 3 vs 3 in Salt Lake with our ugly tie dyed orange shirts. I remember times when my big mouth wrote a check it couldn't cash and Clay reminded me that I was out of line. I always respected him for that and wished I had the same level headed approach. It would have saved a yellow card, and a red, or two. Clay was a great sportsman. I remember soccer trips with Clay, his incredible dad, and amazing mother. They were all such an important part of our Cougars/UFC family that I couldn't imagine the success we had with them all. I wish Clay and I had remained closer as we aged, but I remember running into him at movies on the mountain at Snowbasin with another outstanding teammate, Dustin Simmons. It was like we were kids again stepping onto the field as more than friends, but almost family. Clay's parents were also there for me during a couple of challenging times not just as a teenager that I will not forget and I will not stop feeling gratitude for. They supported me by simply being there, listening, and reassuring me that things will be OK. I don't doubt for a second Clay did those same things for his family and friends. That's just how Clay and his family are - the types of people that stay with you through life with fondness, gratitude, joy, and sadness when they leave your life even temporarily. Clay and family, please know my and my family's thoughts are with all of you with fondness, gratitude, love, friendship, and all the hope and compassion an old teammate and family member from Cougars/UFC can give. RIP our brother on and off the pitch.
Matt Woolley and family
Gary L. Olsen and Shelley E. Olsen
February 2, 2023
I had the pleasure of working with Clay for 15 years. He and i were team members for several years. After my retirement in 2010. Clay and I worked on the training of new operators . This was some of my greatest pleasures. He was a very good friend and employee. I will miss he greatly. I regret I'll be out of the state on 2-3-23. I would love to say good by one last time.
Kevin Rigby
February 2, 2023
My heart goes out to the Holbrook family at this time. As Clay´s coach at WX, I knew Clay as an outstanding player and leader. At the same time he was humble and coachable. Nothing but respect for this great man. His loss leaves a giant hole in the community. He gave so much and so unselfishly.
Brent Dall
February 2, 2023
It's not always the case that the good die young, but it certainly is here. Clay was a gentle giant. He had the strength of two people combined, but he had such a gentle spirit about him. He was such a dedicated husband, father, son, and friend. Such an amazing talent. He made everything look so easy. He was one that I looked up to at the refinery because he was so good at everything he did there, and it seemed like he didn't have to work at being so competent, but I know how hard he worked. I hired on the same day with Clay, and in the 24 years I Worked with him, I never saw him in a bad mood, not that he wasn't at times, but he didn't show it to you. He was always good for a laugh, and a good conversation. He will be missed by so many. My deepest condolences to the family. RIP my friend.
Kent and Shauni Young
February 1, 2023
Our hearts are broken over your loss to this world far too soon. We are impressed by the huge impact you have left in so many lives, including ours. We adore your family and extend our love to them all. May your shared memories together sustain them as they grieve.
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