Michael Scott "Mike" Clement

On December 28th, 2025, Michael Scott Clement passed away peacefully, with his wife, Roberta, by his side. He was born in Logan, Utah, on March 31st, 1939, to parents "Scotty" and Leona Clement. When Mike was a little boy, he and Leona moved to Brigham City, Utah, with her parents, while Scotty fought in WWII. Mike had a close relationship with his grandparents and his mother for the rest of their lives because of those formative years with them. He had to get to know his father all over again when he came home from the war three years later. It was a challenging time for them, but they got through it. They lived in Idaho for a time, where his only brother, Tyler, was born, and then moved to Arizona, where they eventually settled in Tucson.

Mike graduated from Tucson High, where he played every sport he could, held a state record in track, and was the drum major in the marching band. He loved the flute and continued to play throughout his life. He attended the University of Arizona before moving north for medical school. He graduated from the University of Utah medical school in 1963. After his pediatrics internship, he served in the army as a medical officer at Fort Sam Houston in Texas; Sandia Base, New Mexico; Fort Bliss, Texas; and Fort Sheridan, Illinois. During those years, his first daughter, Kathryn Lynn, was born (Jeanette).

After his army service, Mike went back to Utah for his pediatrics residency. After his residency, Mike went into private practice in Murray, Utah. During that time his first son, Scott, was born (Jeanette). His second son, Dean (Mary), was also born in Murray right before they moved to Arizona in 1972.

Although health care was his career, he had many hobbies that shaped his life. As a horse lover, Mike became a cowboy doctor for several years on a small ranch outside of Sierra Vista, Arizona. He was the first pediatrician in Cochise County and was quickly sought after by patients and medical staff. He became the county health director, which kicked off a long career of balancing a life in public health and medical practice. During this period, his wife Mary died of a brain tumor.

In 1979, Mike married Roberta Edwards, his wife of 46 years. Just after his second daughter, Sarah, was born, they moved to Mesa, Arizona, so that he could take a job as Assistant Director of the Arizona State Health Department. His last child, Carolyn, was born here as well. In Mesa, Mike was able to pursue many different career paths in medicine and public health, including being director of ambulatory and regional services at Phoenix Children's Hospital, working at community health centers in Page, Arizona and South Phoenix, analyzing data for the State Health Department and the Arizona Perinatal Trust, and serving as Medical Director of Children's Rehabilitative Services. He officially retired at 72, but he kept his license active for another 10-plus years and continued to serve on several boards in the state, in particular the Arizona Perinatal Trust, the March of Dimes, and the Arizona Maternal Mortality Review Committee. He was very dedicated to the health of women and babies and left a legacy of care that was statewide.

Mike always loved to read, especially histories, mysteries, and anything by John Steinbeck. His love of music was wide, although his favorites were country and opera. He was an avid and skilled landscape photographer who also got paid to do medical photography for nursing books. He was an outdoorsman in his younger years and enjoyed hunting, hiking, camping, and having a good dog by his side. He had many good dogs throughout his life, although he said many times that Ginger, who survives him, was the best. From Tibet to Trier, Mike loved to travel and enjoyed many trips around the world, taking pictures in every place he visited.

Mike was a people person. He made friends wherever he went: walking the dog made him friends all over the neighborhood; he was still calling friends from high school and medical school until the end; he kept in touch with colleagues he had worked with decades ago. He was a beloved brother, uncle, brother-in-law, cousin, father-in-law, etc. Everyone in the extended family has a favorite Uncle Mike story. Please share them in the comments.

His grandchildren learned colorful things from him and to root for the Arizona Wildcats. He loved to talk to them whenever they could come sit with him. He always encouraged them in their life pursuits, whether they were 2 or 22. He was very proud of each and every one of them.

In his retirement, Mike was able to spend more time on his hobbies and traveling with Roberta. He was able to write several memoirs and photography books and read a lot more. He and Roberta were able to welcome their daughter Carolyn and her children into their home during his retirement as well. He became "the dad that we call Grandpa" and always said that he felt like his life had come full circle to when he was welcomed by his grandparents as a little boy.

At his core, Mike held his faith in Jesus Christ as his redeemer very sacred and close. He didn't make a fanfare about his beliefs, but he took them very seriously and was grateful for the sacrifices his ancestors made to give it to him. As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in various capacities whenever asked. His favorite calling was to teach Sunday School. He loved studying the scriptures and their historical context. He ended his autobiography with his testimony: "I hope when I shuffle off this mortal coil I can say, like Paul, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the March of Dimes or the LDS Church Humanitarian Services.