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| Spencer Jackson Klomp |
Spencer
Jackson Klomp Ogden, Utah Spencer Jackson Klomp passed away
peacefully in his home on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at the age of 94. He
was born September 30, 1914, in Ogden, Utah, to Gerard G. Klomp and
Zina Jackson Klomp. Their other children were Gerard Jackson Klomp,
Marjorie Klomp, Ruth Klomp Vickers and Betty Klomp Quayle. He grew up
in Ogden, Utah, where his father was well known in the grocery
business. He attended Weber College and Utah State University, the
latter from which he earned a bachelor's degree in business
administration. It was in a literature class at Weber College where he
first met, and later fell in love with, Kathleen Foulger, the daughter
of Arthur and Josephine Foulger. Kathleen and Spencer were active on
the debate team and, as luck would have it, were assigned to be debate
partners. The many hours they spent together in preparing for debates
resulted in their winning second place in the Pacific Coast Tournament
and, more importantly, winning the hearts of each other. Spencer later
served an LDS mission to England, while Kathleen finished her education
at the College of the Pacific and started her career as a school
teacher. They were married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on
November 6, 1939. They made their home in Ogden, Utah, where they
reared their family in a loving, nurturing and caring environment.
Kathleen passed away on January 6, 2008, after 68 years of marriage to
Spencer. Spencer's career as a businessman began when, as a young boy,
he began working in his father's grocery store, Jerry's Market, on 24th
Street and Jefferson. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and an
enthusiasm for life. With his friend and former missionary companion,
William Homer, he leased a surplus gas station on 24th Street and
Adams. Next to the gas station was vacant land which they operated as a
parking lot. The gas station soon became one of the highest producing
stations in the area. The parking business on the adjoining property
was the beginning of Homer & Klomp Parking, Inc., which owned and
operated parking lots in downtown Ogden for many years, including
Ogden's first multi-level parking structure. During this time, Spencer
began working as a salesman for Gold Strike Stamp Company, which later
became Awards Marketing Corporation. He became vice president and
general redemption manager of its retail stores. He was president of
its holding company, Western Premium Company, when he retired in the
early 1970s. After retiring, he began developing medical and office
buildings in Weber and Davis Counties. He had a life-long interest in
real estate development and even into his late 80s would often look at a
parcel of vacant land and enthusiastically comment about what he would
like to build on it. Spencer served on the Ogden School Board for
twelve years, including serving as President. He was recognized on the
national level for his astute, aggressive leadership in developing
programs to improve school programs. He was awarded the Lewis Shurtliff
Award from Weber State University in 2002 in recognition of his many
years of service in the field of education. Spencer was active in the
LDS Church his entire life. He served as a counselor in the Ogden 12th
Ward bishopric, bishop of the Ogden 33rd Ward, counselor in two stake
presidencies, and counselor in the Ogden Temple presidency with
President Milton Mecham, together with many other Church callings. In
addition to the mission he served to England in his youth, Spencer and
Kathleen served an LDS mission to Cebu, Philippines from 1981 to 1983,
where they shared the gospel and made many life-long friends. They
later established a scholarship fund so that young members of the LDS
Church in the Philippines could further their education and training.
Spencer loved the Church and enjoyed sharing his testimony with others.
He looked for the best in everyone and had an infectious enthusiasm
and optimism that permeated everything he did. He loved the outdoors
and nature - camping, horseback riding, hunting, fishing and boating.
He also had a great love for all types of music -from the classics, to
ragtime and Sousa marches. But more than anything else, he loved his
family and the times he spent with them. He was an example of love and
kindness, charity and compassion, honesty and integrity, hope and
perseverance. He lived what he believed. His friends and family were
greatly blessed by his example. He is survived by his five children and
their spouses: Spencer Foulger Klomp (Karen) of Providence, Utah;
Ralph Foulger Klomp (Anne) of Denver, Colorado; Gregory Foulger Klomp
(Karen) of Mamaroneck, New York; David Foulger Klomp (JoAnn) of
Kaysville, Utah; and Kathleen Klomp Austin (Rick), of Layton, Utah. He
is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and four
great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife,
Kathleen; his brother, Jerry Klomp; his sisters, Marjorie Klomp and
Ruth Vickers; a daughter-in-law, Janice E. Parkinson Klomp; and two
grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 22, 2009 at
11:00 a.m. in the Foothills Ward building located at 1475 Cahoon
Street (2350 South), Ogden, Utah. Friends may call at Myers Mortuary,
845 Washington Boulevard in Ogden on Thursday, May 21, 2009, from 6:00
to 8:00 p.m. and Friday at the Foothills Ward from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Interment will be in the Ogden City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to
the family at www.myers-mortuary.com
1934-35: Debaters, Spencer Jackson Klomp and Kathleen Foulger, meet at Weber College and become debate partners. They were the only co-ed partnership on the team and place 2nd at the Pacific Coast Tournament. They later marry, and raise five children. Mr. Klomp became the president of Western Petroleum. He served on the Ogden School Board for 12 years, including serving as its president. In 2002, he was awarded the Lewis Shurtliff Award by Weber State University for his contributions in the field of education. In 2008 and 2009, they pass on in Ogden as beloved community members.
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