W. Cleon Skousen Obituary

 Jan. 20, 1913 - Jan. 9, 2006

A quintessential patriot saint.

From: "Skousen, David" <davids{at}formula4success.com >
To: "Sterling Allan" <sterlingda{at}greaterthings.com >
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 4:21 PM
Subject: FW: Cleon is gone

Counting you a caring friend, I wanted to share the following news. The graduation is over. Cleon Skousen passed away at 1:50 p.m. I am happy and sad, but I feel that those on the Other Side help us do a better job on this side, don't you?

You may share the following obituary with whomever you wish.

--david

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Obituary

W. Cleon Skousen, prolific supporter of God, country, and the unlimited potential for greatness in all people, passed away at his Salt Lake City home on January 9 of natural causes incident to age, just 11 days shy of his 93rd birthday. He was lovingly surrounded by his wife of 69 years, Jewel, and many family members.

Known by millions for his devoted understanding and support of the U.S. Constitution, his love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, his insights into politics, religion, good government, and human nature, he leaves behind an exhaustive work of scholarship created over three-quarters of a century that covers dozens of specialties. Among the 46 books he wrote are the best sellers, The Naked Communist, The Naked Capitalist, So You Want to Raise a Boy, The Making of America, The Five Thousand Year Leap, and Fantastic Victory about the Israel-Arab war of 1967.

His books on religion, such as The First 2,000 Years, Prophecy and Modern Times, Isaiah Speaks to Modern Times, Treasures from the Book of Mormon, and Days of the Living Christ, reached millions of readers in the Christian, Jewish and Islamic communities.

And his speech entitled "A Personal Search for the Meaning of the Atonement" is perhaps the most widely distributed audio tape among members and missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-a fact that made him smile in astonishment. "I've had missionaries tell me that speech has been translated into Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, and has been passed around on every continent where missionaries serve."

Skousen served 16 years in J. Edgar Hoover's FBI as an agent and the communications director during the waning years of the gangster era and WWII. He also was the editor of the nation's leading police magazine, "Law And Order."

He was a popular teacher of several thousand students at Brigham Young University for 16 years, and a popular speaker across the country where he sometimes gave as many as 300 speeches a year. His devotion to America's founding fathers and the Constitution led to the creation of The Freeman Institute that later became the National Center for Constitutional Studies, an organization through which his speeches and writings educated and united large segments of voters to elect senators, congressmen, governors and presidents who loved the Constitution.

Known for his untiring devotion to principle and integrity, he served as Salt Lake City's chief of police and created what Time Magazine called "A model police force." After 4 years of service, the city mayor created a firestorm of protest when he fired Skousen on trumped-up charges, an event the mayor later called the worst political mistake of his life.

Warmly embraced with the friendly honorarium "a living national treasure," Skousen and his wife maintained a modest home in Salt Lake City that became a mandatory stopover for any person with political aspirations both in Utah and beyond. Friends and visitors included ecclesiastical leaders of all faiths, politicians from all major parties, students of all ages, and of course, local missionaries every Sunday night.

Skousen was born in Raymond, Alberta, Canada on Jan. 20, 1913, and was educated in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. He served a 2-year mission for the LDS Church at age 17. He earned his PhD at George Washington University. He and Jewel are the parents of eight children, 50 grandchildren, and 67 great-grand children. He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters, his daughter Kathleen, two grandchildren, and one great-grand child. He is survived by his wife Jewel, and children David (Judy), Orem, UT; Eric (Cheryl), Orem, UT; Julianne (Glenn) Kimber, Alpine, UT; Sharon (Russ) Krey, Washington; Harold (Anne), Riverton, UT; Paul (Kathy), South Jordan, UT; Brent (Myralynne), West Jordan, UT.

Funeral Services are pending. [Saturday at 12:00 noon at 1870 East Parley's Canyon Blvd.,  SLC.]

Friends may contact the family by clicking on "contact us" at www.skousen2000.com .

Sterling's Remarks

I had the great pleasure of getting to know Dr. Skousen quite well back in 1990 - 1992 while doing the American Study Group.  He spoke at one of our large conferences, and I had occasion to visit with him privately on numerous occasions.  I also had the great privilege of attending a week-long retreat at Duck Creek Utah in which he presented the contents of what was later published in his book, The Majesty of God's Law.  It was a pleasure mingling with him and with those who had respect for his work.  Truly one of the highlights of my life.

I count Dr. Skousen as one of the pillar role models in my life, especially back in those days when my eyes were opening to the wonders of freedom and the dangers that lurked, seeking to destroy it, from without and within the country (and the church).

He is sure to be remembered in history as one of the truly great men of our day.

He will be missed. 

Who will take his place?  How many protégés have been groomed to fill his shoes?  I am happy to report that thanks to the work he has done in training the rising generation(s), that there are many who are accomplishing great things in the tradition of W. Cleon Skousen, but each with his or her own unique flair.

As recently as this past Winter, he was holding Constitution courses in his home.  I had a couple of neighbors who were attending.

I'm sure Dr. Skousen is just having the best time over there on the other side, renewing old acquaintances and slaking his unquenchable thirst for truth and light, but most importantly hanging out with his best friend, the Savior, Jesus Christ, who I'm sure is glad to welcome this son of his into his embrace, serving as his tour guide of the world unseen, returning the favor to one who has served as tour guide here in mortality on so many subjects, both in writing and on location.

Tell him "hi" for us, Cleon, and give him a hug for us.

-- Sterling D. Allan

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