Hazel Clark Deming

Hazel Clark Deming passed from this world on April 10, 2014. Hazel was born on October 26, 1912, the same year Arizona gained statehood. She was born in Tucson, Arizona on what is now the campus of the University of Arizona where her father, Carl Wood Clark, was a student. Her mother was Mae Lillian Miles Clark. Upon Carl’s graduation from the UofA, the family moved to Somerton, AZ where her family owned a cotton farm. Her brother Carl Clark, Jr. was born there, and her 3-year-old brother, Robert, was tragically killed in a farming accident. The Clark family came to Prescott in 1920. Carl successfully applied to run the University of Arizona Experimental Farm (known as the Dry Farm) in Prescott near where the airport is today. Two brothers and a sister were born there, Richard, Mary, and John. Hazel and some of her younger siblings attended a little country school called Pleasant Valley District 13, to which Hazel either walked or rode her horse. The school was located about where Embry Riddle University is today. Hazel attended Prescott High School and was the youngest in her graduating class of 1929, having skipped a couple of grades along the way. Her class held their graduation ceremonies on the stage of the Elks Opera House. Her father, Carl, owned and operated Clark’s Jersey Dairy at several locations along Willow Creek Road and Chino Valley. Hazel married Adelbert Douglas Deming at the North Methodist Church on Marina Street in 1930. They had two daughters, Margie and Alice. Adelbert and his brother grew sweet corn in those early days on the Deming Ranch land where Willow Lake is today. After the Willow Lake Dam was built, they moved to the Granite Dells area. Adelbert passed away of heart failure when he was just 41 years old, at which time Hazel went to work in the Assessor’s Office at the Courthouse in Prescott. She retired in 1975, and went on to lead a full and vibrant life. Even though Hazel lost most of her sight, she continued to promote her brother’s book, Willow Creek Road, and was known for her delicious lemon pies and cinnamon rolls. She loved to work in her garden, and her family was always her priority. She touched many lives through her loving and caring ways. Hazel is survived by her daughter, Alice Deming Kring (Charlie), and grandchildren, Gerry Kring (Catherine), April Kring, and Mike Kring (JoLynn). Hazel also has great grandchildren, Phillip Cox (Brandy), Becky Williams (Glen), Nina, David, Katelynn, Taylor, Olivia, Elizabeth, and Allie and many beloved nieces, nephews, and family members. Tonya Warner cared for Hazel in her last years, which enabled her to live in her own little house. She was predeceased by parents, Carl Clark, Sr. and Mae Clark; daughter, Margie Deming; brothers Robert, Carl Jr., Richard, and John; and sister Mary Clark Wineck. Hazel was a long time member of the First Congregational Church, Golden Rule Chapter #1, Westerners, VFW Auxiliary, Prescott Noon Lioness, and Yavapai Blind Center.