Dirk Clarkson

Dirk Clarkson passed away at home on July 26, 2024 at the age of 69.

Dirk was born in Jerome, Idaho on October 20, 1954 to Vern Clarkson and Sharon Paskett. He grew up in Logan, Utah and Jerome, Idaho. After graduating from Jerome High School, he dabbled in college and work opportunities until the collapse of the Teton Dam drew him to Rexburg, Idaho where he honed his skills as a brick mason and met his wife, Becky Ray. After marrying in the Manti Temple in 1978, Dirk and Becky settled in Jerome where they raised 2 daughters and 2 granddaughters on the family’s alfalfa farm northwest of town. Dirk was also an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in bishoprics, scouting, and stake callings.

An inventor and tinkerer at heart, Dirk’s life was full of clever projects. Professionally he created a computerized chemical delivery system for potato and sugar factories; developed specialized high voltage discharge tubes for agricultural sanitation; and contributed to the initial prototypes of a wet specimen collection system used in meat processing plants and later adapted to forensic DNA collection. In his free time, he was always cooking up new ideas, large and small. The most memorable being the bait he started developing with his brother in his final months, the horse drawn carts he built from scratch, and his attempts to carve better violin tops using CNC machining technology.

In addition to his clever mind, Dirk possessed unshakable integrity and a deeply compassionate nature. He had a reputation for honesty, reliability, and hard work among all who knew him. He was a caretaker and protector for his older brother Tim during their childhood; went out of his way to take care of his siblings after the untimely loss of their mom; and provided end of life support to both his grandfather and father. But his most cherished caretaker role was for his granddaughters.

Dirk was an outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, and camping. When he was younger, he played the violin and became certified in scuba diving. Later he rode horses with his daughters and developed a fondness for gaited horses, especially Tennessee Walkers. His last big adventures were creating a fishing retreat in Alaska with his brother Joel, hosting friends and family fishing trips; and learning how to carve and varnish violins. Dirk loved teasing his wife, daughters, and granddaughters. He loved his German Shepherd, Addie, his Tennessee Walkers, Suitcase and Dolly, going on adventures, making people laugh, spending time with the people he cared about, eating crab cocktails, and drinking Stewart’s root beer.

Dirk was preceded in death by his parent, Sharon and Vern Clarkson; as well as his brothers, Joel and Tim. He is survived by his wife, Becky; his daughters, Heather and Tamara; his granddaughters: Madelyn and Annabelle; and his siblings, Kim, Pat, Wendy, Matt and Chris.

A viewing will be held from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Friday, August 2, 2024 at Farnsworth Mortuary, 1343 S Lincoln Ave, Jerome. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, with a viewing beginning at 10:00 am, Saturday, August 3, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 825 E B St, Jerome. Grave dedication will conclude at Jerome Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Dirk’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.