Clay Larson

Clay Ralston Larson was born on March 24, 1932, in Glenbar, Arizona.
He is the son of James Alma and Grace McBride Larson and a descendant of pioneer ancestors, Mons Larson and Peter Howard McBride. Clay grew up in Glenbar, the eighth of thirteen children. He picked cotton in the summers to earn money with his brothers. After graduating from Pima High School, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War from 1952 to 1956.
He met and fell in love with his sweetheart, Naoma Anderson, from Virden, New Mexico. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa Temple on November 27, 1956.
Clay and Naoma have been married for 68 years. They had a happy, loving home and were blessed with eight children, Jim (Corby), Andrea (Bryan), David, Craig (April), LaWynn (Jeff), Steven (Gina), Chad (Sheridyn) and Melinda (Kirk). They were also blessed to act as parental figures to numerous grandchildren and placement students.
Clay graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor's Degree in Education and the University of Arizona with his Master's Degree in Math and Science. He taught school in Ft. Thomas for 12 years and served as Graham County School Superintendent for 16 years.
He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints his whole life. He served faithfully in countless callings including Stake Patriarch, Bishop, and many other positions. He and his wife Naoma served missions in Ghana, Ukraine and the West Indies.
Clay is survived by: his wife, Naoma; eight children; thirty-four grandchildren; forty-three great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by: his brother, Richard; and his sister, Linda.
Clay passed away peacefully on May 30, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. He will be remembered for being a hard worker, a loving husband, a kind father and grandfather.
Funeral services for Clay will be conducted Saturday morning, June 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at the Pima Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Bishop Aaron Burk of the Pima First Ward. Concluding services with military honors conferred by the United States Navy Honor Detail will follow in the Pima Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday evening, June 6, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at the Vining Funeral Home and Saturday morning, June 7, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., at the Pima Chapel Junior Sunday School of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Clay, please visit our Tree Store.