Obituary: John David Clawson

On Dec. 27, 2021, John David Clawson, loving husband and father of five children, passed from this earth into the arms of Jesus at age 87.

John was born on Aug. 28, 1934, to Ray and Daisy (Shroyer) Clawson. He graduated from Proctor High School in 1952, then joined the Army National Guard where he began his training as an auto mechanic, and was honorably discharged in May of 1963. He worked as a mechanic until his retirement.

John married his second wife, Margarite (Lee-Strand) in April of 1968. Combining their two families, they raised two sons, Todd and Bruce Clawson, and two daughters, Julie and Elaine Strand. They resided in the Cloquet Big Lake area.

John was a skilled mechanic and was sought out for his expertise on a regular basis. He was always willing to help others whenever possible. He enjoyed attending church, fishing, camping and visiting over a cup of coffee. His sense of humor and gift of storytelling was appreciated by all who knew him. He also spent many years attending Big Lake Covenant Church for worship. He helped with lawn care and maintenance, and toward the later years always went in early to start the coffee and set up.

John was preceded in death by his wife Margarite; parents, Ray and Daisy; brothers, Richard and James; and first wife, Carol, and daughter Cynthia.

He is survived by his children, Todd, Bruce, Julie (Strand) Anderson and Elaine (Strand) Scofield; niece, Barb (Clawson) O’Conner, and nephew, James Clawson; grandchildren, Brenda and Yvette Clawson, Lilanya and Chara Clearview, Jon Scofield, Faith (Scofield) Mason, Grace (Scofield) Fugate, Micah Anderson and Sarah Scofield-Kemp; and six great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 21, at Big Lake Covenant Church, 702 Salmi Road in Cloquet. Interment and a luncheon will follow the service. Condolences to the family can be sent to 3955 Crosby Road, Cloquet MN 55720.