FLAKE, Clel Lorenzo

Vining Funeral Home, Safford, Arizona Clel Lorenzo Flake March 11, 1951 - March 23, 2014 Clel Lorenzo Flake passed from this life peacefully on Sunday, March 23, 2014, at his home in Thatcher. He was 63. Clel was born March 11, 1951, in Boise, ID, the first son of Lorenzo L. Flake and Jeanene Hanks. The family moved to Thatcher in 1955 and Clel attended Thatcher Schools, graduating in 1969. He attended one year of college at Eastern Arizona before serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Japan West Mission. Clel returned to Thatcher to continue his education where he met Sherri Lynn Lunt. They were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple May 24, 1973. They moved to Tempe to finish Clel’s education and after three years there, bought a home in Gilbert. Their two children, Cory and Stacie, were raised in Gilbert. After graduating from ASU, Clel passed the CPA exam and began his career as an accountant, working for a local CPA firm and then for Kaibab Industries as their chief internal auditor. After 26 years with Kaibab, Clel and Sherri moved to Thatcher where he served as Graham County’s Chief Financial Officer for ten years. He retired in December 2013. Clel has always been active in church and community organizations. He has served in the LDS church as a scout leader, various clerk positions, Bishop, Bishop’s counselor, Stake High Counselor, and as a stake auditor. Volunteering with the Gilbert Town Library along with professional auditing organizations was an important part of his life during his time in Gilbert. After moving to Thatcher he continued his community involvement as a member of EAC’s Gila Hank Booster Club and in other southeast Arizona government agencies. He enjoyed associating with people of all ages, but particularly loved serving with the students at EAC. Clel and Sherri served as hosts to family home evening groups for many years. Clel is survived by: his mother, Jeanene Flake; his son, Cory (Ann Weber) and their children, Laur’l, Adelle, and Logan Flake; his daughter, Stacie (Phillip Allred) and their children, Brendon, Suzanna, Jonathan, and Tyler Allred; his sister, Mary Jean Weech (Rodell); his two brothers, Raymond (Margaret Houtz) and Wayne (Joy Bryce); and one foster brother, Woodrow Wagner Jr. (Caroline Tom); as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. His beloved wife Sherri preceded him in death by just two weeks and two days. His father, Lorenzo L. Flake, also preceded him in death. Funeral services for Clel will be conducted Saturday, March 29, 2014, at 10:00 a.m., at the Thatcher LDS Stake Center by Bishop Ron Howard of the Thatcher Third Ward. Concluding Services will follow in the Thatcher Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening, March 28th, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Vining Funeral Home and Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m., at the Thatcher LDS Stake Center Relief Society Room. Clel’s family suggests donations be made in Clel’s memory to the EAC Scholarship Fund, the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund, or a charity of your choice. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Clel Lorenzo Flake please visit our Sympathy Store.