Obituary of Albert Elmer Clarkson

No visitation Albert Elmer Clarkson, 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 1, 2007, at St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, May 10, 1914, the son of Gilbert Walrond Clarkson and May Asenath Cooley. He spent four years in South Africa serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). Al had a very creative imagination and a flair for writing and storytelling and enjoyed sharing his beautiful African artifacts and experiences with family and friends. Returning from his mission, he attended Brigham Young University, and later served four years as an officer in the U.S. Army. He then moved to Seattle, Washington, where he met Luevenna Elizabeth Harris, whom he married in 1946. They had a daughter, Victoria Asenath in 1949, and moved to Walla Walla in 1950. In 1951, they had a son, Harris LeGrand, and moved to Olympia in 1960, where he lived the rest of his life, retiring from the Washington State Department of Employment Security, after 30 years of service. Having traveled extensively as a young man, he preferred staying closer to home in his later years. He had a great appreciation of nature, and dearly loved his daily rides, with Lue as his chauffeur, to view the back roads and local countryside around Olympia. He had a tremendous love of animals, and particularly his dogs, which were a huge part of his life--all of whom preceded him--except Oscar, who mourns his loss. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed visiting and entertaining friends and family with his witty stories. Somehow his final exit on April Fool’s Day, and being laid to rest on Good Friday, seems most fitting, considering his droll sense of humor. He would have wanted people to remember him and smile, recalling how he enjoyed a good joke or story, and the joy he had brought to the lives of others. He was active and mobile all of his life, and continued to mow his lawn even in his 92nd year. He particularly enjoyed his “flat” (no stairs) house and yard, where he and Lue moved in 2000, which allowed him easy access to all areas. He loved to sit in his back yard and drink in all the sights and sounds of the gorgeous flowers and delightful wildlife which he found so pleasing and soothing. He was a man of strong convictions and opinions and never felt shy about sharing them. He was loyal and true, generous and kind hearted, and dedicated to the care of his family and helping others. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lue, his daughter, Victoria Clarkson, his son, H. LeGrand Clarkson and wife Sheryl, and granddaughter, Jennifer. Any donations may be given to your favorite animal charity.