Clara “Afton” Gibson Pace Obituary (1920 - 2015)

Clara "Afton" Gibson Pace age 95 passed away July 6, 2015 at the Beehive Care Center in American Fork. She was born June 6, 1920 in Nephi, Utah to Abe and Geneva Gibson. Afton married her high school sweetheart Jack Sperry Pace June 10, 1940 and together they had four children. They both attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah. They moved to Pleasant Grove, Utah in 1942 where her father bought the Pleasant Grove Review Newspaper. When Jack returned from Army deployment he went to work with his fatherainalaw. Over the years Afton and their four children worked at the family business. Later after raising their children Afton went back to school and graduated from Brigham Young University in 1968. Afton was always active starting tap dancing at a very young age and was in many high school assemblies, she was an accomplished swimmer and diver and loved playing softball, basketball and tennis. She played tennis and won many tournaments in her youth and most summer mornings would be down at the courts. Afton also loved skiing, she taught all her grandkids how to ski and most of Utah County at Sundance Ski Resort for over 15 years. Afton was always busy and very talented, she sewed, knitted, crocheted and quilted and she always tried to pass on these talents with everyone. Afton's love of nature and animals was a big part of her life. She was always feeding and taking in strays and loved taking care of her plants and flowers. Afton was very active in her church in which she had a strong testimony and held many callings, she taught mutual and was in several Relief Society Presidencies and was Ward and Stake Dance Director. Her favorite calling was as nursery leader which she did for over 20 years. Afton is survived by her three children Nancy Gayle Pace, Wayne Jack Pace and Sally Jo Pace Lyon, 11 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. Afton is preceded in death by her husband Jack, son Kent and great grandson Joshua Johnson. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 10, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in the LDS Chapel located at 455 East 200 South, Pleasant Grove where family and friends may attend a viewing from 11 - 12:45 p.m. Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.