Terry Paul Clemmer M.D.

Terry Paul Clemmer was born in Lewiston, Idaho, but spent his childhood and school years in Portland, OR, and Seattle, WA. Although his family roots go back to the early LDS church in Missouri and Nauvoo, his parents and grandparents were inactive, thereby leaving him to grow up unfamiliar with the LDS church. Through some fortunate circumstances at the time of his graduation from high school in 1957, he visited Brigham Young University in Provo and made a life-changing decision to attend college there and become active in the church. He served an LDS Mission in Brazil (1959-62). Upon his return, he met his future wife, Janice White of Oregon, through mutual friends at BYU Provo. They married in 1963 in the Salt Lake Temple. He was accepted in Medical School at George Washington University in Washington, Washington, D.C. the same year, despite what he considered average grades.

Our country’s involvement in the Vietnam conflict placed medical students in high draft categories, but Terry joined the U.S. Army for the economic benefits even knowing the risks. He excelled academically, graduating with honors from George Washington University Medical School as one of the top five students in his class. Terry completed his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, HI. His fellowship was in Critical Care Medicine at Lettermen Army Medical Center in San Francisco, CA. He had the distinction of being the first formally trained Intensivist in the subspecialty Critical Care Medicine in the military.

In 1976 he completed his mandatory military obligation and left as a Lieutenant Colonel, although he did later join the U.S. National Guard and served in the Gulf War, ultimately retiring as a full Colonel. After his initial military obligation, he relocated to Utah and worked at LDS Hospital. The institution’s long commitment to using computers to enhance medical care was innovative for the region. In 1977, Terry was invited by the University of Utah to accept a faculty position in the School of Medicine, advancing to a full tenured professor. He helped build a world-class Shock Trauma Intensive Care Unit at the LDS Hospital, established the Life Flight air transport system, enjoyed a national reputation in critical care medicine, published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers, and was a national and international invited speaker. In 1994, his interest expanded to pursue the field of Quality Improvement in medicine joining the faculty of the Institute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI), instrumental in improving the practice of medicine. In this capacity he became a leader in quality improvement in Critical Care and helped build Intermountain Health Care’s reputation as a healthcare improvement leader.

Terry had the opportunity to travel both personally and professionally and loved to bring family members to share in these experiences. He had a deep love of the church and over the years he faithfully served in numerous church capacities. He was a lifetime member of the Sons of the Utah Pioneer organization including serving as a president of the Mills chapter.

He is the father of two children, Kori Clemmer and Xan (Clemmer) Kali (deceased), seven grandchildren Alexander P. Clemmer, Christopher Clemmer, Makenzie Clemmer, Kyrie E. Clemmer, Maile Kali, Keawe Kali, Lehua (Kali) Barefoot and four great-grandchildren Zoe Kali, Koa Kali, Kya Barefoot, and Rylie Barefoot.

Terry wished to express his profound thanks to everyone he knew that he worked with and supported him. As his family, we would also give our thanks to his friends who have supported him and us during his final moments.

A viewing will be held Friday August 28,2026 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Lawn, located at 2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, Utah. The Funeral service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 11:00 a.m, which is located at 1535 Bonneview Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84105. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 10:00-1045 am.

Those wishing to send any flowers may do so to Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 United States