Rick Cloward
1952 - 2019
Rick Cloward, 67, passed away unexpectedly Friday evening. He is the 2nd son born to Burke J and Dorothy Dyer Cloward, arriving on December 4, 1952. He has 4 sisters and 2 brothers. Rick grew up living in numerous custom homes that his father built in his beloved “Tree Street” neighborhood. He attended Wasatch Elementary, Farrer Jr. High, Provo High, and BYU. All of the wonderful experiences he had growing up throughout the years, as well as all of the dear friends, neighbors, teachers, teammates, coaches, doctors, nurses, and relatives. They meant the world to him! One of the most memorable highlights in his young life was when he played in the very last game of his high school baseball career as a senior. He ended up pitching the first no-hitter in a Utah state baseball tournament.
While a junior in high school, he was sitting with some of the baseball team mates in the lunchroom, when Jill Hatch walked in with two of her best friends to eat lunch. He proudly announced to his friends when he saw the girls that he was going to marry one of them. That started a very special friendship with Jill that has lasted over 50 years now. She was only a sophomore and just 15 years old, so he had to be very patient until she at least graduated! Rick and Jill were married for time and all eternity in the Provo Temple on September 7, 1972. They built their first home in southeast Provo with the help of their families; they lived there for almost 30 years, until their children had all graduated from high school. They are the proud parents of Cory (JoAnna), Craig (Kelli), Chris (Julie), Carly (Steve) Anderson, and Cade (Shannah). They waited a very long time for their grandkids to finally arrive, and to their amazement, they eventually did; all 22 of them, 11 grandsons and 11 granddaughters. Each one has been the ultimate blessing of joy and delight to grandpa and papa Rick! They range in age from 19 years down to 3 months. They truly adored him as much as he adored and enjoyed them. He loved all of them, as well as his extended family, and all of his friends, very deeply and dearly!
Rick was a general building contractor, following in his father’s footsteps. He quickly learned from working with his father, grandfather, uncles, brothers, and the sub-contractors, to have a very strong work ethic, which he has passed on to his own children. He enjoyed working hard and felt a lot of satisfaction when a project was completed. His final project was making sure that Jill was all settled and taken care of in a brand new home before it was time for him to leave. She feels so loved and blessed, but is really sad that he won’t be able to be there with her now. He also enjoyed playing too! They made many memories together travelling, especially going on cruises, snow and water skiing, hunting and fishing up at Strawberry Reservoir, horseback riding, camping, 4 wheeling, snowmobiling, and going to any football, basketball or baseball game. He was very active, busy, and involved when he felt good enough to be.
Rick was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a very strong testimony. He served in many different callings, but his most favorite of all time was when he was a nursery leader and then also a team teacher with Jill, teaching the Sunbeams. He loved all of the little ones as if they were his own and they had great time together every Sunday. He also enjoyed serving in the Provo Temple and at the Bishop’s Storehouse.
He looked forward to the Resurrection probably more than all of the rest of us put together. We, as his family, are extremely grateful to all who took such good care of him and we know that they did everything that they could to continually keep him comfortable. He literally fought the good fight from the minute he was born until the minute he passed away. He is free now from his broken body, and we believe and know without any doubt that his perfect spirit is standing as straight and tall as possible! He can run and throw baseballs again! We are elated for him and can’t wait to see him with his perfect and amazing smile that is certainly complimenting those amazing blazing blue eyes of his!
Rick is survived by his wife, Jill, and all of his children, their spouses, and all of his grandchildren; along with his siblings and their spouses, Rod (Catherine), Carrie Christensen (Kim), Deb Kirk (Mark), Randy (Debbie), and Gina Knutsen (Alan); as well as Jill’s sisters and their spouses, Jeri (David Maynard), Lisa (Kerry Johnson), and Jana (Keith Brown). He has many aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces and nephews, who always treated him like he was their very favorite! He was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents; parents; sister, Connie Lynne; nephews, Jason, Mark and Kasen; niece, Jessica; brother-in-law, David, and father and mother-in-law, Jay and Ruth Hatch.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at the Grandview 15th Ward Chapel, 1122 Grand Avenue, Provo, Utah. Friends may visit with the family from 9-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.bergmortuary.com.
