Obituary of Roy Monroe Claridge

Roy Monroe Claridge, 85, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away June 20, 2019.

He was born in Safford in 1934 to Monroe and Lucille (Wilkins) Claridge. He loved sports and played basketball and football in high school. He also was on the track team, setting records in the 100 yard dash that would hold for years. His studies came easily, graduating from Safford High in the top 10 and lettering all four years in basketball, baseball, tennis, football and track. He earned his bachelor’s degree at BYU and then taught Spanish at Flowing Wells High school in Tucson. He was also the track coach, tennis coach and assistant basketball coach. He received his doctorate in education at the U of A and was Associate Dean of Education.

Roy married his sweetheart, Marcia Gardner, on August 17, 1957 in the Mesa Temple. They had six children and in testament to their parents, all have remained faithful in the Church. With their children all living in Tucson, Roy and Marcia have had many wonderful years of Christmas celebrations, camping trips, and monthly family dinners, and have been privileged to attend many of their grandchildren’s sports games, concerts and graduations and hugging lots of great-grandchildren.

Roy’s great example of service in the Church is amazing. He served as a full-time missionary in Argentina. He also served as a stake missionary, high councilor, stake clerk and Bishop. He served a mission as Director of the Tucson Cannery and Bishop’s Storehouse and then served with his sweet Marcia as Employment Specialists in the Orlando, Florida mission and for several years as caretakers of Camp Zion on Mount Lemmon. Since the Tucson Temple opening in August of 2017, Roy served weekly as a temple ordinance worker.

Left to cherish his memory: his wife Marcia Gardner; sister Helen Cole, brother James D Claridge; children Mel (Liz Rands), Missy (Jerry) Carter, Melody (Tom) Eberhard, Michael, Matt (Allison Clarke) and Nathan (Amy Howe), 30 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

 Funeral services will be held at the West Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints West Stake Center, 3530 W Magee Rd, Tucson, with a viewing at 8:30am followed by services at 10. Roy will be interred at the Binghampton Cemetery.