Clinton Russell Sagers

Clinton Russell Sagers 1922 ~ 2009 Clinton Russell Sagers passed away peacefully in his home in St. John (Rush Valley), Utah, on Sunday, July 5, 2009, with his family by his side. He was born to Elmer Sagers and Vera Russell Sagers on March 19, 1922, in Tooele, Utah. He married Wanda Jensen on August 11, 1943, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. His first employment was as a sheepherder for his uncles, Teen and Martell Russell. He met Wanda when she began working for the Union Pacific Railroad at the St. John Station. Wanda and Clinton had four children and four foster children through the LDS Indian Student Placement Program: Linda Kay (Jerry), Van Dyke, Brent (Barbara), Jo Sagers, Bart (Tammy), Martha (Daniel) Webster, and Grover Begaye. (Foster children Mrycine and Inez Moon preceded him in death.) In addition, Wanda and Clinton had 26 grandchildren and 43 great-grand-children, and one great-great-grandchild. Clinton had a great love for horses and was an active participant in the reenactment of the 1960 Pony Express, riding his beloved horse, Flash. Clinton also rode in the last six reenactments of the Pony Express. His sidekick in these reenactments was Raymond. Clinton loved rodeos and in his younger days was one of the best in the State of Utah in riding bare-back broncos. Even though Clinton worked full-time for the U.S. Government at the Dugway, Utah Proving Grounds, he kept busy running his own farm and raising cattle, horses, and sheep. Clinton fought in World War II in the European Theater. Because he was a fast runner, he was assigned the role of being the scout for his unit. He was wounded and captured in the Battle of the Bulge and spent five months as a prisoner-of-war in Mulberg, Germany. Clinton was invited to ride in the 2000 Freedom Festival Parade's Utah's Former Prisoners float. He was named an honoree in 2004 by the Tooele County Cattlemen's Association. In addition, Clinton was the Grand Marshall for the City of Murray's Veteran's Day Parade in November 2007. In August 2008, Clinton was finally awarded his Purple Heart for the wound he received during the Battle of the Bulge. His award was given to him in a special ceremony hosted by the then-Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. Clinton was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and his brother. Clinton was a faithful and devout member of the LDS Church. He served in many capacities including second counselor in the bishopric, ward clerk, and as a temple worker in the LDS Jordan River Temple for 20 years. Clinton had a great love for the Lamanite people and worked, on a voluntary basis, as a case worker for the LDS Indian Student Placement program. Funeral services will be held at the Rush Valley Ward House on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. There will be a viewing held on Tuesday evening 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Tate Mortuary, 110 South Main Street, Tooele Utah. There will also be a viewing at the Rush Valley Ward House from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in the St. John Cemetery.