Clegg Merlyn Betz, 06 May 1921 - 22 Jul 2016

BETZ, THOROGOOD, STANDLEA, BAHR, RODGERS

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 8/3/2016 at 16:18:43

On Friday, July 22, 2016, Clegg Merlyn Betz was ushered into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ… whom he loved and faithfully served.

Clegg was born May 6, 1921, in Upland, California to John Arthur Betz and Gladys Thorogood Betz. He had one sister, Marion Betz Standlea. Clegg went to Upland Elementary School and Chaffey High School. He joined the boy scouts when he was twelve and he became an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Chaffey High School in May of 1940 and attended Chaffey Junior College before moving to Ladora, Iowa to become a farmer.

Clegg met LauraBelle Bahr while working on his Uncle‘s farm in Ladora, Iowa. They married October 10, 1942, and shared just 2 ½ months short of 74 years together as husband and wife. They worked side by side on the farm, worshipped side by side at church, and lived side by side as two who truly loved one another. Clegg and LauraBelle had three children: Arthur, Harlan, and Charma.

Clegg was a deacon at Fundamental Gospel Church, a 4-H Leader, a board member of the Christian Farmers Organization, a board member at East Iowa Bible Camp. After 50 years of being an Iowa farmer, and several years working as a machinist for Kinze manufacturing, Clegg retired to Houston County Lake in Grapeland, Texas for the past 20 years.

Clegg is survived by his loving wife, LauraBelle, his son Arthur (Jeanette), his son Harlan (Sharon), his daughter Charma (Tom Rodgers); 7 grandchildren: Lynette, Wendy, John, Joshua, Sarah, Chandra, and Charissa; and 20 great grandchildren.

Clegg left a remarkable legacy of a life well lived. He was a man who loved farming and manifested a strong work ethic. Because of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and God’s grace in his life, Clegg was a man of integrity who was faithful to his Lord, his wife, and his family.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday at the First Baptist Church, Grapeland.

If you desire to give a gift in his honor, due to his commitment to Christian camping and its impact on his family, memorials may be given to either Frontier Camp, 131 Frontier Camp Road, Grapeland, Texas 75844 or to East Iowa Bible Camp, 1433 F52 Trail, Deep River, Iowa 52222.

Warrior Tribune, 27 Jul 2016
Journal Tribune, 03 Aug 2016, pg 5
Bailey and Foster Funeral Home