Clifford J Stratton

Clifford J. Stratton was born on April 7, 1945 in Winslow, Navajo County, Arizona to Clifford Stratton and Patricia Francis Black. He passed away on June 20, 2025 in Reno, NV. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his son, Charles R. Stratton and his nephew, Jacob I. Openshaw.
He is survived by his wife, Marsha and his son, Clifford Lee Stratton (Charity) of Madison, AL; daughter, Marleen Stratton Ritchie (Doug) of Minden, NV; daughter, Marlisha Stratton Clark (Jeff) of Orem, UT; son, Clinton Wear Stratton of Reno, NV; and son, Craig Owen Stratton (Elyssia) of Glen Allen, VA. Also, his sister, Carol Ann Stratton Openshaw lives in Mesa, AZ; sister, Margaret Emma Stratton Dana Jorgensen in Lehi, UT; and brother, Charles Elmer Stratton in Ogden, Utah. He is survived by 18 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cliff was raised in Winslow, Arizona, and attended Winslow High School where he lettered in football and basketball. He participated in drama, science club and was elected a member of the National Honor Society. He attended Northern Arizona University, where both his grandmother, Margaret Treat Black, and his father had attended. He earned Bachelor of Science Degrees in Biology and Psychology from Northern Arizona University in 1968, and the Master of Science Degree from the same institution in 1970. He was awarded a National Development and Educational Association, Title IV, Grant, to receive specific training for teaching Medical Students and Physicians. He received specialized training in human neuroanatomy and medical teaching skills and received the Doctorate Degree from Brigham Young University.
After Post-Doctoral training at the University of California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine, he joined the faculty at the University of Nevada, School of Medicine in 1973. He was awarded nine outstanding teacher awards at different universities and taught in numerous Excellence in Teaching Programs throughout the Western United States. He taught and did research at the University of Nevada, School of Medicine, until his retirement in 2008. He was Professor of Anatomy, Chief of Clinical Neuroanatomy and Chief of Clinical Embryology during most of that time. He published extensive research articles on human lung, brain and gastrointestinal disorders and on human infertility.
For two decades he helped pioneer the current, advanced reproductive technologies. In 1981 he and two other Doctors started the sixth in vitro fertilization clinic in the United States. As the Director of Laboratories, he assisted many infertile couples to enjoy the blessings of children in their home. He enjoyed an international reputation for his scientific achievements. He was listed in Who's Who in America, American Men and Women of Science, and others, and was cited in the international Gray's Anatomy.
He was a member of several prestigious, scientific and medical organizations. He served as President of Phi Kappa Phi and was an active member of Sigma Xi, honorary societies. He was interested in Nevada politics and helped draft and pass legislation ranging from women's rights to medical issues such as adoption rather than abortion, treatment of AIDS and providing medical assistance to the medically indigent population of his state. He had a particular interest in minority programs, especially involving native Americans, and in programs assisting the mentally and physically handicapped.
He served a church mission to Wales (Central British Mission) from 1964–1966. Cliff and his wife, Marsha Romney of Flagstaff, Arizona, were married in the Mesa, Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1968. He and his family were active members of that church. He and his wife served a church mission for the Flagstaff Stake Mission in 1968. He served as a Temple Ordinance Worker in the Reno Nevada Temple. He and his wife went on a Senior Couple church mission to Minneapolis, Minnesota. They served in North St. Paul and Emily, Minnesota from 2004-2005.
He taught at BYU Provo the Human Clinical Embryology Course as a visiting scholar, serving a mission in 2007 Fall semester. He served a mission for the Church Curriculum Department in 2007.
In 1978 he was ordained a Bishop and served as the presiding officer of the Sparks Nevada First Ward and of the University of Nevada Singles Ward. He served in many administrative positions at the ward, stake and regional level. He served as the Stake Mission President and Senior President of the Seventy in Reno. As the Multiregional Welfare Services Director for most of Nevada and Northern California, he supervised the church's work in the Adoption Agency and the Unwed Mothers Program for many years.
He taught seminary and institute classes in person as well as online for BYU Pathway Worldwide. Additionally, he taught adult institute classes at each of the 3 stake centers. He gave firesides on gospel subjects all over Sparks and Reno. He wrote articles for numerous church publications and teaching manuals, some of which were printed in 13 languages with worldwide distribution. They included medical topics such as advice on how to deal with death and dying, as well as scriptural subjects and doctrinal issues.
He enjoyed researching his Family History and sharing it with others. He found thousands of names that he connected with their families. He was a member of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers in Reno, Nevada. He relished leatherworking and making projects for his family. After he retired, he learned how to work with glass and shared the projects he made.
Cliff liked being the Sparks stake sports director, referee, and coach for his church. He also refereed for the Sparks and Reno Communities at the schools. He enjoyed going fishing and hunting with family and friends. He loved taking his family and the youth out water skiing and tubing on the many lakes in Northern Nevada.
Our father and husband will be dearly missed. He genuinely cared for his family. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He will be kept in fond remembrance by his family and friends. At his request, no memorial fund has been established. He requested that compassionate donations be made to a benevolent charity of the donor's choice.
The family will be having a Graveside Service in Prescott, Arizona at Odd Fellows Cemetery on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 9:30am
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery is also known as IOOF Cemetery.
The cemetery is located after Acker Park on South Virginia Street. Take Route 89 to South Virginia Street, go south to Acker Park (421 South Virginia Street). You will travel through the park in order to reach the cemetery.
Address: 400 S Virginia St, Prescott, AZ 86303
Memorial Service at LDS Church 1001 Ruth Street Prescott at 1:00pm
Please let us know if anyone would be willing to do a Zoom of the Graveside Service.