Clair E. Weldon

Clair E. Weldon, 78, of Independence, MO, passed away Friday, May 18, 2007 at Rosewood Health Center at The Groves in Independence. Memorial services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 2, 2007 at The Stone Church, 1012 W. Lexington, Independence, MO 64050. Visitation will be 6:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, June 1, 2007 at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055. Cremation with interment in Mound Grove Cemetery.

Clair was born October 4, 1928 in Oakland, CA to Roy E. and Lillian (Potorff) Weldon, the first-born of four sons.

Clair had his elementary education in Oakland, California. During this time he became ill with rheumatic fever and was unable to attend school. A visiting teacher, who was a retired Spanish teacher, came to his home for his lessons. Along with his regular lessons, she also taught him Spanish. He enjoyed this, learned quickly, and became fluent in the language at an early age. His love of the Spanish language was a significant influence in shaping his life and career. He made his first archaeological trip to Mexico at age 13, with his father, Roy, initiating a life-long interest in the cultures and history of Mexico, Central and South America.

Clair’s family moved from California to Pisgah, Iowa when he was a teenager. After living there for a year, his family moved to Warrensburg, Missouri, where his father, Roy had a bee-keeping and honey business. He graduated from College High School in Warrensburg. Following high school, he attended Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa. At Graceland he was a Social Studies major, participated in numerous campus activities and was president of his class.

He graduated from Iowa University in 1950 with a BS in Social Studies, and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. In August of that year, he married Jessie Bruch Weldon of Cameron, Missouri.

After teaching Social Studies for one year in Osborn, Missouri, he became a full-time minister for the Community of Christ Church. His first years as a minister were in Indiana and Michigan. Then he was assigned to Texas to serve in the Latin America field. A fluent speaker of Spanish, he was instrumental in founding congregations in Mexico, Central America and South America. Clair and his family lived and worked in Cordoba, Argentina for 2 years. He spent much of his career working and traveling in Latin America including Honduras, Guatemala, Peru, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Argentina and Mexico.

In the early 1970’s he instituted a UN-style simultaneous translations program for the church’s world conferences. Persons in attendance from other countries could listen on headphones as what was spoken in English was translated simultaneously into their native languages. He served as the Director of Translations for the church for 31 years, coordinating translations in Spanish, French, Russian, Tahitian, German, Korean, Japanese and other languages.

He also traveled and provided ministry in the Western and Mid-Western regions of the United States prior to his official retirement in 1990. He continued to serve as a volunteer Director of Translations for the church until 1995. He used his fluency in Spanish in the spoken and written word, as well as in translating hymns, and even composing original hymns in Spanish.

He loved to sing and had a beautiful baritone voice. He loved music, photography, and the outdoors �" hiking, tennis, bicycling, and bird watching to name just a few.

He was a wonderful father, grandfather, a loving husband, and an amazing human being. He had a deep faith in God and dedicated his life to serving others. He had a great love for all people and cultures of the world, and demonstrated not only unconditional acceptance, but a deep valuing and appreciation of others, whatever their circumstances. He spoke only kindness to others. His example and values have been a guiding force in the lives of his family, friends and, literally, thousands of persons throughout the world.

In the last seven years of his life, Clair experienced physical challenges, including Parkinson’s Disease. He entered The Groves in March 2007 and shortly thereafter entered hospice care. We believe he has now been born into the fuller and more joyful life of the spirit.

Clair is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jessie (Bruch) Weldon; daughters Dawn Beye and husband Kirk of Independence, MO, Kim Bozich and husband Stephen of Arlington Heights, IL; grandsons Travis Beye of Jacksonville, FL, and Ryan Beye of Kansas City, MO; brother Ward Weldon and wife Rosalynne of Glenview, IL; sister-in-law Arvilla Weldon of Alamosa, CO; and a number of cousins, nieces, nephews and many dear friends. Preceding him in death were his brothers, Lyle and Lynn, and his parents. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Groves Community Hospice, Outreach International or The Stone Church Endowment Fund.