Richard Clawson

Ancestors

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, March 20, 1965

Thanks for being there. March 20, 2022. I received the white feather that you floated down into my lap at the game and the white pigeon that appeared in the garden. Faith. I know you are always with me...Love you

Biography

Is now in heaven and we miss you very much. You left too soon. Richard M. Clawson passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2020 doing what he did best, assisting others. He was pulled over in his Hy-Vee Semi to assist another trucker.

Richard M. Clawson was born March 20, 1965 in Santa Clara, California to Donald and Roberta Clawson. The night Richard was born, Roberta had driven to the drive-in movies theater with the 5 other children to see Old Yeller. Don found her and took her to the hospital. Rich was born that night.. Don and Roberta couldn't think of a middle name so just gave him the initial M. However Don had told his parents that Rich's middle name was Claude after his father. To Grandma's surprise, on Graduation day, they announce Richard "M" Clawson. Surprise. On the day Mom came home with Rich, all the children welcomed her with flowers, hugs and kisses. Such a thoughtful father. Mom said " Lori and Debbie have cleaned the house so good while I was gone that I cannot find anything." She was really happy to come home to a clean house. Rich was the youngest son of 6 children. Growing up was challenging being the youngest. Rich was often told he couldn't play with the older kids. This just made him try that much harder. Rich started Fremont National Youth Baseball at the age of 5 years. He played Fremont Football until he entered High School. When he wasn't playing sports he was watching one of his siblings play. He continued to play sports through college and beyond. Rich excelled at baseball, basketball and football.

Rich started going to Self Realization Fellowship when he was a very young boy. He continued his studies until he became a Kriyaban (existence, consciousness, bliss). SRF was a major part in his life. He attended temples where he could find them. Finding time when he could to meditate. Each year he would travel to the Convocation in Los Angeles to breath in the positive energy.

Rich attended Mowry Elementary, Walters Junior high and John F Kennedy High School in Fremont, California. He went on to receive his A.A. and play baseball at Ohlone College in Fremont, CA. He always loved people and loved getting everyone together for events. He would call family and friends on the phone and invite them to his sister's house for football parties. He never told his sister they were coming. Then he wouldn't show up. But everyone was happy that they were able to get together. He was following God's blessings.

Rich's friend remember him full of energy and full of Jokes. One friend said " As many have said, he was a great childhood friend. I have such a great memory of Richard. We were in 4th grade and we were walking home for lunch. Richard as a kid ran everywhere. On this day it was wet and Richard believed that we should take a short cut and run and try and jump over the ditch instead of taking the bridge near the hill / field we rode our bikes on. He was convinced we could make it if we got up to full speed. We didn’t make it and got completely muddy. Of course we ran home and changed. By the time I changed my clothes and washed my arms Richard had already ran home, changed and was back at my house. I think he ate too. He was still convinced we could make the jump someday. I never tried again but I bet Richard did. I have so many other great memories of Richard as many others do." Another said " When were in 7th grade we were in same class. He said "hey pal!" Slapped his hand on my back. I was thinking Cool! Richard was cool new friend! Yes! 7th grade is awkward... Was walking home, happy with new friendship. Heard some girl say "Hey kid!" I knew she was checking me out. Now she was being obvious. Yeh? I turned around obviously she wanted me, "You got gum on your back!" Richard!

Rich started his career modeling. He was in several shows before starting a full time job with Novell computers, flying to all the major cities, setting up trade shows. When moving to Centerville, Iowa, he worked nights at Rubbermaid and attended school at IHCC. His dream was to become a teacher and a coach. It became more important to Rich after the birth of Mariah, to be a good provider and he started working at Hy-Vee in Chariton. Rich loved his semi. He told us that going to work in that truck was his vacation from life. He would listen to books on tape, visit with his California family. The Chariton Hy-Vee colleagues were his “other” family. He was that” friendly smile in every aisle”.

Rich grew up with two brothers Kevin and Robert and two sisters, Lori and Debbie. The Clawsons had a passion for sports. They loved baseball, basketball football and ballet. Their mom Roberta, would drive them to practice and games in her Volkswagen van. Since Mom couldn't be at every game all the children took turns at sitting in the stands and attending games and events. Rich was voted the BEST ATHLETE of the Bay Area when he was 12 years old, and we still have the trophy on display. Rich sold peanuts in the San Francisco sports stadium. He was “fired” while on the job, because he was caught sitting in the front row watching the game. He loved === ALL === of his family so unconditionally and every time we went home, he worked on getting everyone together for family reunions. He spent many days talking about all the great memories of family get togethers at the Rod and Gun (Standard Oil/Chevron Plant) Richmond, CA.

Rich moved to Iowa in December of 1995. This was a culture shock for Rich. He had two children Mariah and Myles. He really hated the cold weather and the snow. Rich quickly drove all around Centerville area and found a perfect spot for slow pitch softball and started a league. We would drive to Bloomfield for basketball, and his love and passion for sports continued. As soon as Rich had children, he couldn’t wait to teach and play sports with them. He coached Mariah for a time, but came home one night and said, “My Mariah doesn’t like her daddy to be her coach. She wants Roses and Rainbows from me. For the next 20 years, that is what he gave her”. Rich would say he loved to see Mariah dance in the living room. Both kids were taken to the YMCA every morning from the day they were born. The “ladies” swim class would gasp as he threw his 1- year old babies in the deep end, and they would dog paddle back to the side of the pool. Myles was born with a ball in his hand. We stopped buying other toys because all he wanted were balls. Rich dedicated his entire life to playing and coaching his son. He couldn't wait to retire so that he could move to Encinitas, CA. This was his dream and desire.

Rich was a man of great faith and he LOVED the Lord. A friend refinished a beautiful antique wooden chair and Rich used it every morning for his prayer and meditation. No matter how tired he was on Sunday morning, he wanted his family to attend church, and he always told his children that although he loved us all so much, he loved the Lord FIRST. He sent Mariah to St. Mary’s Catholic School. He said, I can teach her to read and write, but I need help putting her on the journey with the Lord. Myles attended pre-kindergarten and daycare there also. Rich was a yogi. He had a great desire to find God. Rich could not wait to go to Heaven, and as he said, live in paradise. The Lord wrapped his arms around him on January 15th and took him home. His work here was done, and now he will continue his journey from above.

Rich is survived by his children, siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by many, many teens that he considered his own. He had some very special friends Gerry Hazelton, David Macho, Cliff Andrade, John Raymundi, Anthony Martin and Carter Heitmeyer. His fur babies Duke, Marely, Lynyrd and Kiki. Rich loved unconditionally and without judgment to anyone.

Rich is proceeded in death by his parents Donald and Roberta Clawson. Also proceeding him in death are his grandparents, Edward (Pappy) and Mila Matteson, Grandma Juel and Grandpa Claude Clawson, Uncle Jack Clawson, and Uncle John Galyen and Auntie Mila Ann Matteson. Some of Rich's ashes were scattered in the Monterey Bay. The rest were divided amongst his siblings who loved him very much.

Rich was the closest thing to God. He loved and worked endless hours to pay it forward. “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me”. Philippians 4:13 You are truly missed.

Sources

Birth Certificate. personal knowledge, love

• "California Birth Index, 1905-1995," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGC6-5HM : 27 November 2014), Richard M Clawson, 20 Mar 1965; citing Santa Clara, California, United States, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento.
• https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/121945/?offset=1#page=257&viewer=picture&o=&n=0&q=
• "Nevada Marriage Index, 1956-2005", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VVB2-XTP : 20 September 2019), Richard M Clawson and Tonya R Ballanger, 1996.
• "United States Public Records, 1970-2009", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K17P-YXF : 19 February 2020), M Clawson Richard, 2001-2009.
• "United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, 1980-2014," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKL3-C37L : accessed 6 February 2020), Richard Clawson in entry for Roberta May Clawson, Richmond, California, United States, 07 Aug 1999; from "Recent Newspaper Obituaries (1977 - Today)," database, GenealogyBank.com (http://www.genealogybank.com : 2014); citing West County Times, born-digital text.
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206336559/richard-m-clawson