Roy Vincent McCluskey's Obituary
Roy Vincent McCluskey, Sr., of Orem, Utah, passed peacefully from this life surrounded by his family, on Monday, March 11, 2024. He was 80 years old.
Roy was born on October 30, 1943, in Bellingham, Washington; the first of six children born to Roy Alvis McCluskey and Gwenyth Arlene Brooks. He was raised in Renton, Washington. He was very proud of his Native American (Lummi Nation) and Scottish and Irish Heritages.
As a young man, Roy was called as a service missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help construct chapels in the Utah County area. While working on a local chapel, he became acquainted with the Jolley family and lived in their home in Orem for a time. He was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam Era, serving from 1965-1967. He was proud of his service to his country. He always flew the American flag in front of his home and later served in the Honor Guards of the Utah Intertribal Veterans Association and the American Legion Post #72.
Following his time in the service, Roy reconnected with the love of his life, Jaynann Jolley, and they were married on March 29, 1968, in the Salt Lake City Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Throughout their marriage, he was always a true romantic, and he adored Jaynann!
Roy studied criminal justice at Brigham Young University for three years with the intent of becoming a police officer, but a part-time summer job at Timpanogos Cave ignited a love for working in the great outdoors. He took a full-time position as a park ranger and never looked back. He worked in many beautiful locations, including Bryce Canyon (UT), Colorado National Monument (CO); Fort Union Trading Post (ND), and Roosevelt National Park (ND). His family had many fun adventures while living in these places and especially enjoyed the military re-enactments, mountain man rendezvous, and Native American pow-wows. Roy retired from the National Park Service in 1995 and worked as a security guard until 2009, when he fully retired and settled down with Jaynann in her childhood home in Orem.
Roy served a Welfare Service Mission for the Church from 2009-2010 and then embraced retired life. He spent time fishing in the local streams and lakes in Provo Canyon and along the Alpine loop, took up shortwave radio, studied more Native American Art, and delved into his Scottish roots – even obtaining a Scottish kilt that we were all thankful he didn’t make a habit of wearing! Roy and Jaynann loved square dancing together and were part of a local club for many years. Some of his other hobbies included building model railroads, reading, playing games, and family history. He also loved cats!
He was a great tease but was always good-natured when on the receiving end. Roy loved his family and was very proud of them. His sentimental nature made him a very thoughtful gift giver, and he was the one who generally purchased the cards for birthdays and other special occasions for his children, grandchildren, and their spouses. He loved his family fiercely and always prayed for their security and happiness and encouraged them to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a gentle soul who was true and faithful to the end. We will miss him terribly until we are reunited with him. We love you, Dad!
Roy is survived by his eternal companion Jaynann; sons Roy V. McCluskey, Jr. of Vineyard, UT; Erick McCluskey of Orem, UT; Jeremy (Jessica) McCluskey of Eagle Mountain, UT; Brent (Carrie) McCluskey of Dickinson, ND; daughter Sharon McCluskey of Marion, OH; twelve grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and siblings Mary (Dan) Smith, Nancy (Ed) Dailey, William (Robin) McCluskey, and Ellen McCluskey, all still living in Washington State. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister who died at birth, and grandson Samuel Roy McCluskey.
The family wishes to thank the medical professionals who cared for Roy during the last year of his life.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 18, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cherry Hill 7th Ward chapel located at 135 E. 2000 S., Orem, UT. Friends and family are invited to gather for a public visitation one hour prior to the services. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery with full military honors performed by the American Legion Post #72.
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