Clay Alan Christensen

Clay Alan Christensen, a one-of-a-kind, good and faithful servant returned to the arms
of his loving Heavenly Father April 25, 2024 at the age of 47. He is recently from
Mandan, ND but had lived in Lewiston and Smithfield, Utah prior to that. He was born of
goodly parents on May 23, 1976 to Gaylen Ray Christensen and Sherry Lynn Sage
Christensen in Monticello, Utah.

He moved to Cache Valley when he was eight. He enjoyed fishing and swimming in the
Bear River in Amalga and Benson, Utah, and (accidentally) setting fields on fire while
wielding his infamous pyrotechnic skills. He had many friends in his youth, enjoyed
fixing up vehicles and almost always drove a truck, including his well-known ‘77 Ford
F150 and his ’75 Ford Highboy. He worked at Transport Diesel in Logan, Utah with his
father and various farms including Double A dairy in Amalga and graduated from
SkyView High School in 1994. He earned a welding and diesel mechanic certificate
from Bridgerland Applied Technical College in Logan.

Always one for adventure and to feel the wind in his hair, he hiked, biked, water skied,
ran, fished, hunted, lifted weights and vacuumed like a madman. He hiked and drove all
around the mountains east of Logan and west of Monticello, Utah and lived a crazy,
wild, and rambunctious youth with his zest for life fully furled and free. But, to everything
there is a season, and he was inspired to slow down and live carefully. The change the
gospel can bring brought joy and purpose to his life as he saw the value of living for and
serving others. He felt a kinship to the prophet Joseph Smith and his mission of the
Restoration. This theme carried through his own full-time and honorably served mission
in the North Carolina Raleigh Mission from 1999-2001. There he was known as
“Grandpa” to Elders he served with, due to his being a little older- and perhaps wiser
from his prior life perspective- than a typical missionary. He made many friends there
that he still treasures and has stayed in contact with.

Settling back into life after his mission and attending college at Utah State University,
he met his future wife in a singles ward. Clay married Rachael Grace Johnson in the
Manti Temple June 6, 2003. They lived in Lewiston, Utah for 15 years. He graduated
from USU in Psychology and Family and child development. He worked at Utah State in
the Utah Assistive Technology Program. He came to love those persons he served with
his skills of re-engineering equipment for persons with disabilities. Clay’s lab was filled
with joy – and the smell of welding smoke and sawdust. That job came to an end when
he moved to Mandan, North Dakata to allow Rachael to pursue her career in animal
nutrient.

Clay was a loving father to five wonderful children and he loved his wife dearly. He often
mentioned he would be hunting ducks on Sunday instead of in church if it wasn’t for his
love for his wife and family. While living in Lewiston, he hiked the Franklin, Idaho “Little
Mountain” almost daily. Sometimes with his family but most often by himself, as well as
the ridges and hills near Utah State University in Logan. Like these hiking workouts, he
took life head on and worked through challenges as he tackled summits and ground
through the steep climbs of life. He is well known for the dinners he hosted that
supported his smoking habit- the habit of smoking meat, that is. Many friends and
family have enjoyed a meal courteous of Clay’s smoking habit.

He had a gift for knowing others hearts and had a listening ear and keen insight into
how others feel. He was a champion to the discouraged and downtrodden. He always
gave to someone in need, whether that be love, encouragement, hunting and fishing
equipment, or an extra buck or just a good laugh. He always had a tender heart for
children, his own babies, as well as his nieces and nephews. He is known as the baby
whisperer, soothing the most fractious babies. He was a favorite “bouncer” at Family
Wellness gym in Mandan, ND.

He wasn’t always a saint, often known to inappropriately use profane language in
church, or, well, everywhere, but to those whose life he touched for good, he was the
boon to their soul and the strength and comic relief they needed to carry on. Now after
passing through his mortal vale of tears, he watches over his friends and family. We
who know his love will never forget and never be the same from having Clay in our
lives. Vera! Vera Lynn! Crime-in-itly!

Clay was living in Mandan, North Dakota when he was infected by an unknown virus
that caused severe encephalitis. This prompted his medical transfer back to Utah,
where he remained in healthcare institutions until his death. His final illness was
protracted and debilitating taking every physical ability from him, but he climbed through
it enduring and pushing back. He got where he was going, slipping away peacefully and
is now on the other side looking back and smiling in the eternal light of the Sun.

He is survived by his wife Rachael and his children Taylor, Johnny, Zac, Josh and
Tessa; his parents and siblings, Taryn Christensen, Ryan(Lorna) Christensen,
Kiley(Tony) Dixon; his nieces and nephews; and his sisters and brothers in-law. He is
preceded in death by grandparents Wayne and Geneve Sage; Dave and Neva
Christensen; brother in law, Lucien Shoemaker; and sister in law, Marcie Johnson.
We thank the many doctors, nurses, respiratory and physical therapists who helped
make him more comfortable during his crucible of mortality at CHI St Alexis Hospital in
Bismarck, ND; University of Utah hospital in Salt Lake City, UT; and Heritage Park
Rehabilitation in Roy, UT. We also thank those who prayed for, donated, visited, and
supported him and his family through those trying times.

Services are supported by Cache Valley Mortuary. Two visitations will be held, one on
Friday, May 3, 2024 from 6 to 8 pm and Saturday, May 4, from 9 to 11 am followed by a
life celebration beginning at 11 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
chapel 660 W. 200 N. Smithfield, UT 84335.
Give Heaven some Hell, Clay!