Clayton Dennis Mooney, our beloved father passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born June 27, 1935 to Earnest Gerald Mooney and Orel Theodora Bjorkman Mooney in Sioux City, Iowa.
Clayton’s parents moved with their family to California where Clayton attended grade school. Clayton met the love of his life in middle school, his sister’s best friend, Rita Hoffstadt. Throughout the remaining years of school, Clayton and Rita fell in love. Clayton joined the Coast Guard in 1954 where he had many great experiences along the Alaskan Coast. During this time, he stayed in touch with Rita, writing many love letters until 1956 when they eloped to Las Vegas and got hitched in the Little White Chapel.
Clayton baptized Rita into the church, and they were later sealed in the Los Angeles temple. They lived in many places in California for 14 years as they began to grow their large family. They had 5 sons and 2 daughters before moving to Enoch, Utah. In Utah they added 2 more daughters. Clayton and Rita settled in Delta, Utah where Clayton worked as the Produce Manager at Quality Market. When Clayton retired, he tinkered with a small engine repair business and created many wonderful wood projects. This went on for many years before he lost his beautiful wife to cancer on August 21, 2008.
Needing a new adventure, Clayton moved to Burley, Idaho in 2014 to live with his daughter, Cozette, and her husband, Dennis. There he made numerous friends and had many great experiences. Grandpa Clay was a big part of so many lives.
Throughout all of his travels, Clayton remained a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and honored many callings. He was a loyal and dedicated husband as well as a loving and present father and brother. He had a beautiful testimony and shared it with anyone who needed to hear it. He was called on often to administer blessings to those in need, and lovingly responded day or night.
Clayton is survived by his 8 children: Rebecca Marquardt (Kevin), Layton, UT; Lance Mooney (Kathy), Richfield, UT; Vince Mooney, Salina, UT; Ronald Mooney (Judy), Hinckley, UT; Bruce Mooney (Laurie), FL; Eric Mooney (Soo), Delta, UT; Michelle Zitting (Quinton), Humansville, MO; Angela Suitter (Brian), West Jordan, UT; 31 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife: Rita; daughter: Cozette Patterson (wife to Dennis), Burley, ID; his granddaughter: Brooke Sharee (daughter of Cozette & Dennis); and his grandson: Alex Clay (son of Ronald & Judy).
To honor Clayton’s wishes a simple Graveside with Military Rites will be held at the Delta Cemetery, on Friday, December 30, at 11:30 am. A light luncheon for friends and family will follow, at the 4th Ward LDS Church, 197 South 300 West, Delta. Please be prepared to share your favorite memory of our dad, during the luncheon.