Clayson Wells “Chris” Lyman September 26, 1936 ~ May 28, 2026

Clayson Wells “Chris” Lyman, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2026, in Queen Creek, Arizona, just shy of his 90th birthday.
Clayson was the first of born of Karl Robison Lyman and Edith Kraft Lyman, arriving in Cortez, CO on September 26, 1936.
He was raised in Monticello, breaking horses for the Dude Ranch at the base of Abajo Peak, leading to a love of and competition in riding saddle broncs.
He graduated from Monticello High School in 1954. His love of Monticello High School resonated strongly with him his entire life, continuously working on and leading projects for the Buckaroo Alumni Association for as long as he was physically able.
After high school, Clayson went on to begin his studies at Brigham Young University. After two years in Provo, he paused his studies to serve in the Spanish American mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from September 1956 to April 1959.
He continued his studies, taking an additional break to attend basic training for the US Army, and eventually received his degree in Languages and Business Management in 1963.
He went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in International Commerce from Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Clayson met the love of his life, Patricia Ann Prescott, in 1959 while the two were attending BYU. They were married on September 1, 1961, in the Idaho Falls Temple.
Clayson and Patricia’s first foray in their marriage involved moving to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for two years, where Clayson worked across Central and South America and the Caribbean as the Director of Marketing for the Carnation Milk Products Company.
The couple returned stateside, and after stints in Ann Arbor and Denver, settled down in Glendora, CA, where they went on to raise three children - Christopher Todd, Cali Ann, and Heidi Kay.
While raising their active family, Clayson worked as a Realtor/Broker with licenses in California and Utah, closing over 4,200 escrows during his career.
Upon retirement, Clayson and Patricia’s dreams of touring the country to watch rodeos was cut short by Patricia’s severe dementia diagnosis. Clayson served religiously for ten years as her caretaker until she passed to paradise on May 7, 2017.
Clayson lived by the motto “Look Beyond Yourself,” and dedicated his time to organizations and projects that focused on ways to make life better for everyone.
He participated in Rotary International for over 20 years, serving as Club President for the Glendora Club from 1988 to 1989, and District 5300 Governor from 1991 to 1992.
He was the Charter President of Glendora’s Sons of Utah Pioneers, Charter President for the Monticello High School Alumni association, and served in Scouting with the Boy Scouts of America for over 32 years.
Clayson did not live by half measures-fully committing himself to every activity in which he was engaged. His passions included rodeo, making sure he never missed a single event of the national Finals Rodeo each year.
He started boxing at a young age, and eventually boxed as a lightweight in high school, during his time in the Army, and as part of the BYU Air Force ROTC boxing team.
He obtained his pilot’s license while at BYU and enjoyed flying while he was young. At 16 years old, he purchased two rafts and led rafting excursions down the San Juan, Colorado, and Green rivers.
A natural polyglot, he was fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and had substantial command in the French, Italian, German, and Russian languages.
He is preceded in death by his sister Joyce, brothers Terry and Mark, and son-in-law Casey (Cali) Stott.
Clayson is survived by his brother Chad (Louise) Lyman, son Todd (Trena) Lyman, daughter Cali Stott, daughter Heidi (Tyler) Jewkes, and ten grandchildren: Morgan (Dru) Turley, Emma Stott, Ellie Lyman, Cole Lyman, Hailey Stott, Brage Jewkes, Mason Jewkes, Cameron Stott, Porter Jewkes, and Kylie Jewkes.
He lived as Theodore Roosevelt described in The Man in the Arena—not as a spectator in the grandstands, but as one who dared greatly, chose the dust, sweat, and struggle of the trail, and spent himself in pursuit of worthy causes.
Funeral services will be held in Glendora, CA, on June 18, 2026, with a graveside ceremony in Monticello on June 20, 2026, where his remains will be laid to rest.