Former mortician who built multi-state petrol firm dies

Clair Haycock, who was a former gaming commissioner during the 1970s, has died. He was 84 years old.

A mortician who worked his way up to founding his own petroleum company, Haycock died Wednesday after he suffered a heart attack on Dec. 13, his only son, John Haycock, said.

“He was one of the hardest workers I know,” said Haycock, 58, who said his father worked nights as a mortician at Palm Mortuary, then days at gasoline stations, eventually creating his own petroleum company, Haycock Petroleum, which was sold six years ago.

Haycock started out small but made the company a multistate wholesale petroleum marketing company.

As a gaming commissioner, he came into contact with colorful characters and had plenty of stories to spin, his son said. He also served on the board of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and was very much involved in the community, helping disadvantaged and disabled children for Variety Club International.

Born in Burley, Idaho, on Nov. 5, 1929, Haycock earned a degree in mortuary science in Los Angeles. He met his wife, Colleen Jolley, at Dixie College, where the two attended classes.

Services will be announced.

He is survived by wife; daughters Marie Christensen and Julie Colton; and his son.