Conwell Clayton McCune

CONWELL CLAYTON MCCUNE, 91, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2024 in Roy, Utah. He was born on September 8, 1932, in Salt Lake City, to William Welby McCune, Sr. and Constance Vivian Clayton. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, William Welby Jr, his sister, Constance Cherine, his wife, Maria Torres McCune, and two daughters, Vivian, and Vanette.

He grew up in Utah, California, and Texas. When he was very young, his family lived with his grandparents in Holladay, Utah. He spent much time on their large chicken farm and playing in nearby orchards and barnyards. He spent his World War II years in San Antonio, Texas where his father served as a Captain in the US Army.

After the war, his family relocated to Santa Monica, California. He graduated from Venice High and loved spending time at the beach. Conwell started college at the University of Utah at the age of 17 and graduated 4 years later. Then he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Central America where he met his wife. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 9, 1957. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering from the U. They had six children together: Victoria, Vivian, Vanette, Valerie, Matthew, and Mark.

Conwell spent most of his career working for Chevron Oil Field Research in La Habra, CA. In addition to U.S travel, he visited many countries for research and work including Hong Kong, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Spain, Italy, Greece, Scotland, England and Denmark. Maria joined him on a few of his international trips where they had fun adventures and experiences together. He retired in 1990.

Conwell served faithfully in the LDS church throughout his life serving in Bishoprics, Stake Presidencies, and High Councils in Placentia CA, Yorba Linda CA and Portland OR. He and Maria served multiple missions together that took them all over the world again. They presided over the Mexico Tampico Mission and the MTC in Santiago, Chile. They also spent time in Los Angeles, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Central America.

Conwell loved Family History and was always researching not only the names but the stories behind the names. He had an amazing mind for remembering details, names, and memories. His love of family was not only for those that lived before but for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved to have them visit and would make sure they were served ice cream when they came. In his final days, Conwell was able to speak with each living child and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren before his passing. Near the end of his life, he remarked that he loved his children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren “intensely.”

Conwell is survived by his children Victoria, Valerie, Matthew, and Mark, as well as 22 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren. Conwell will be remembered for his faith, his love for his family, and his enduring spirit. We all look forward to receiving his loving hugs again in heaven.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the Compton Bench Chapel, 850 North 300 West, Farmington, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to services from 9:00-10:15 a.m. at the church.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page.   The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.