Funeral services for Calvin Clavel age 86 of Rural Eagle Butte, SD will be 11:00 AM MST Saturday, February 25, 2017 at United Church of Christ in Eagle Butte. Interment will be in the Eagle Butte Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be 2 hours prior to the funeral on Saturday. Calvin passed away Tuesday February 21, 2017 at his home near Eagle Butte, SD.

Calvin Richard Clavel was born August 15, 1930 to Celestin Joseph Clavel and Bernice (Lane) Clavel in Tucumcari, New Mexico. They, along with Calvin's older brother Celestin Joseph (Jodie) Clavel lived in Tucumcari until the family purchased a ranch near the town of Roy, New Mexico in 1937.

In 1940, the family lost their father to pneumonia, but the two boys, ages 10 and 17, and their mother continued to operate the ranch. During this period, he attended the local country school and then graduated from Roy High School. In Roy, he met his future wife, Martha Myers.

In 1951 Calvin and Martha were married and lived on the New Mexico ranch. In 1953 the first of four boys, Randy, was born. In 1956 the family purchased the Jack Avent ranch near Eagle Butte, South Dakota and moved there in the early summer where they made the ranch their own. Calvin's family grew in subsequent years when sons Ted, Troy and Stuart joined the family and helped with the cattle and farming duties.

Calvin was a "Cowman" – they were his passion. Nothing came before the cattle. He worked hard to care for them, in blizzards and snow storms on horseback, tractor or pickup to feed and gather them, checked them at least daily, usually multiple times during the day during calving season, and checking dams and creeks in the summer for bog holes. In the last couple of years his biggest pride and joy was the first brand new tractor that he ever owned, a front wheel assist John Deere tractor. It made his day when he was out to feed and look over his cows.

Calvin was involved in many community organizations such as the New Mexico National Guard, Roy Roping Club, Carlin School Board, Eagle Butte COOP Board, UCC Church Board, and the Eagle Butte Library Board and supported the local 4-H clubs.

Calvin loved his family and friends but when the grandchildren arrived, they were the twinkle in his eyes. Callen (Brittney), Brady (Jennifer), Krista (Tony) Brown, Chad (Rebecca), Tyler (Stacey), Justin, Zac Tate, and Caden.

Calvin is survived by his wife, Martha, Eagle Butte, brother C.J. (Jody) Clavel, Roy, New Mexico, Sons Randy (Linda) Clavel, North Platte NE, Ted (Linda) Clavel, Mankato MN, Troy Clavel, Sioux Falls SD and the grandchildren

Calvin was preceded in death by his parents and son, Stuart.