Clyde Robertson Banner's Obituary
On January 13, 2023 our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Clyde Robertson Banner, passed away at home at the age of 90.
Clyde was born to Arthur and Una Robertson Banner in what he often described as “a log cabin much like Abe Lincoln” in Payson, Utah. He was the fourth of six children and was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings: Laura Jane Banner, Reva Banner Powell, Bruce Robertson Banner, Jack Robertson Banner, Ida Banner Mattinson and his great-grandson Landon Curtis Banner. Clyde is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carolyn Tuttle Banner, five children, 13 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.
His father was a section foreman for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad between Spanish Fork and Price and so he spent much of his youth going between his parent’s home in Springville and a section house in Price/Helper. He was known as “somewhat of a rebel” in those years and hearing some of the stories from that period of his life we think “somewhat” is an understatement! However, he was a smart, good student who set a goal to become a doctor. He attended Carbon High School and Carbon College, where he was a star player on the football teams of both schools—think of the movie “Leatherheads” and you can picture Clyde in his Carbon College Days.
However, in 1951 he received a “personal invitation” from President Harry Truman to travel the world—more specifically Korea. He served a tour of duty in the U.S. Army infantry during the height of the Korean War—of which he rarely spoke of but which no doubt impacted him the rest of his life.
He returned from Korea after the war and for a time worked in a coal mine and for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Having recently married, he made the decision that he needed to work rather than pursue his dream of becoming a doctor at that time—which was a lifelong regret. In 1955 he went to work for US Steel Geneva Works in Orem, where he was hired as a production planner. Because of his hard work and knowledge, he was promoted several times and went into sales management. His many positions and promotions included executive sales and marketing positions in Portland, Denver, Salt Lake City and eventually Los Angeles—where he retired after spending 42 years with US Steel.
However, he did not stay retired long! Because of his industry knowledge, experience and expertise he was hired to head up the inside sales operation at the newly formed Geneva Steel Corporation—and with this move his career came full circle. In 1997 he retired a “second time” from Geneva Steel having spent a total of 52 years of his life in the steel industry.
In 1955 he met and married Afton Jacobsen Banner in the Salt Lake Temple but later divorced. They had five children—Robert Banner (Felicia), Kathy Banner Price (Phillip), Gary Banner (Shanna), Alan Banner, and Kristine Banner Hopkins (Michael).
In 1983 he married Carolyn and they had quite an adventure together. They even “survived” worked together at both US Steel and Geneva. In particular they loved living in Marina Del Ray and all that the “California Lifestyle” offered—beautiful weather, sunny beaches, restaurants, activities and friends! They have been inseparable since they both retired, and our family is grateful for Carolyn’s care—which grew more ever more difficult in his last years.
Clyde had a passion for gardening, and he maintained a beautiful lawn and garden throughout his entire life. He also loved to read and when he lost much his eyesight, he said it was his most difficult challenges. He missed reading for the rest of his life. He also loved the outdoors and because of this love, they purchased a second home in Manila UT on the shores of Flaming Gorge and spent nearly every weekend there from spring until fall. He loved the beauty and the solitude of the area, the surrounding mountains and the lake.
He also loved sports—particularly football and baseball. He was the President of both the Alameda Little League Football Association and Alameda Little League Baseball Association in Lakewood Colorado—where he managed the entire operation made up of hundreds of teams and volunteers. This required coordination with other Jefferson County Colorado associations, fundraising and finances, scheduling, management of game and practice facilities, insurance, rosters and equipment for both associations—and he did this all as a volunteer. He also did all of this while coaching both a football and baseball team each season!
He was also lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—where he served in a variety of callings over the years¬–including Sunday School and Priesthood Instructor, Elders Quorum President, Ward Clerk, Stake Athletic Director, Stake Executive Secretary, a member of a subsequent Stake Presidency, and as the Executive Secretary to Franklin D. Richards, who was then the President of the Northwestern States Mission.
Clyde was always committed to doing his very best at any task he undertook. He also had a deep belief in God, country and community. He loved the Lord, loved his country and his community. In fact, one of the first things he did every morning was put up his American flag.
He was a quiet, private and contemplative person yet with a keen sense of humor that at times surprised people. And while he sometimes had a difficult time expressing his love and feelings, he had an extremely soft heart and left a lasting legacy that he may not have fully comprehended or appreciated while he was here on earth. We are grateful for his life and example and are sure that he now knows fully of the Saviors love for him. We also hope and pray that he knows of our love for him. We are certain also that his reunion with family and love ones on the other side of the veil was indeed glorious…
As the words to the beautiful song say…
May the good Lord bless and keep you whether near or far away
May you find that long awaited golden day today
May your troubles all be small ones and your fortunes ten times ten
May the good Lord bless and keep you till we meet again
May you walk with sunlight shining and a bluebird in every tree
May there be a silver lining back on every cloud you see
Fill your dreams with sweet tomorrows never mind what might have been
May the good Lord bless and keep you till we meet again…
We will love and miss you always…
A viewing will be held on January 30th from 10:30 – 11 am at Premier Funeral Services, 67 East 8000 South, Midvale, UT 84047. A Memorial Service will be held from 11:00 am until Noon immediately following the viewing. Interment and Military Honors begin promptly at 12:30 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy UT. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to either to the Humane Society of Utah or Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CMNHospitals.org.
*A special thank you to the kind members of the Willow Creek 6th Ward and Sitka neighbors for your Christ-like love and service. We are also grateful for the caregivers from Visiting Angels and Elevation Hospice. Our family will be forever grateful for all of you who cared for him…
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