Matthew B. Clawson

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle Matthew Clawson (69), passed away peacefully at his home from an extended illness while surrounded by family members.
Born January 2nd, 1942 in a barn in Randolph, Utah when it was -52 degrees outside, Matthew Bird Clawson, son of Edna Anne Hughes Clawson and Matthew R. Clawson moved to Southeast Idaho with his family as a young man and began his life full of his adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit. After leaving High School, Matt, as he was known to everyone around him, joined the United States Navy where he spent six years as a Navy Helicopter Rescue Crewman. He was stationed at Ream Field Helicopter Base in Chula Vista, California where he met Linda Joan West who became his wife and lifelong "sweetie" on June 28th, 1961. After leaving the Navy in 1965, Matt and Linda made Pocatello, Idaho their home. In 1969, they opened up the Flying Deuce Auction Company which he kept running until 2008 in various forms, all the while pursuing other business opportunities. In the late 70's Matt, Linda and their three children, Mark, Kim and Luke moved to Pittsburg, Kansas to open additional businesses. There, the Clawson family met and adopted three additional children; Matt, Pat and Cindy then returned to Pocatello and resumed running the consignment auction until 1985.
Matt employed most of his family instilling in his children, nieces and nephews the values of hard work, customer service, ethics and the meaning of someone's word. A handshake to Matt was a binding contract. While also running these weekly auctions, Matt earned an Electrician Degree from Idaho State University, owned and operated a Husky Truck Stop, sold Real estate for Century 21 and had a gold mine on Silver Creek in Central Idaho. From 1995 to 2008, the Flying Deuce Auction Company held Vintage Denim & Apparel Auctions in Pasadena, California which opened up a whole new world to Matt and his family. He loved meeting the denim dealers and the customers many of which were foreigners.
Matt was also a member of the Pocatello City Development Committee for 8 years. He was a member of the River of Life Church since the early 80's. Even though Matt was a hard worker, when it was time to relax and have fun, he loved to be in the outdoors with his family fishing, hunting, camping and panning for gold. When he wasn't in the mountains, he oil painted scenes that he recalled from the outdoors.
Later in his life Matt began to write down his memories for his children and grandchildren. He wrote a short book Titled Born in a Barn where he depicted his life and experiences with the healthcare system in our country.
In the final days of his amazing life, Matthew B. Clawson was surrounded by loving family members as he peacefully passed. He is survived by his wife, Linda J. Clawson; their children, Mark (Teresa), Lil' Matt (Davina), Kim (Harry) Hampson, Patrick (Jennifer), and Luke (Julia), Twenty-one grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Angie (Juan) Hernandez and Shirley (Denny) Jones and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father, one daughter and one grand-daughter.

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