Clark, Harold Theodore

CLARK, KING, ROSS

Posted By: Lorelei Rusco (email)
Date: 6/6/2014 at 16:24:40

Clark, Harold Theodore -
Harold Clark, age 91, of Lenox, formerly of Stringtown, who died Sunday, September
29, 2008 at the Lenox Care Center will be held Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 10 a.m.
at the Stringtown Church. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3 to 7 with the family
greeting friends from 5 to 7 at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox. Interment will be held
at the Stringtown Cemetery. Memorials can be given in Harold's name. Memories can be
shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements
were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.
Harold Theodore Clark was born on August 6, 1917, in Adair County, Iowa the
son of George Clark and Bertha (King) Clark. He grew up attending school in the
community through the eighth grade. As a young man, he worked as a farm hand and
during his spare time, he found his true calling of repairing automobiles.
On January 25, 1941, Harold was united in marriage to Nellie Ross. They resided in the
part of Creston, now known as Green Valley Park. Later they moved to Kent where
he operated his own garage for a short time. He was then offered a position at Ford
Tractor in Creston, where he worked for several years.
In July of 1948, he opened Clark's Service in Stringtown which was located in Elvin
Riley's old shop. He later purchased the property.
In September of 1957, Harold and Nellie purchased the Stringtown Store from
Harry Reese. Together they operated the store, cafe and pumped gas in addition
to operating the shop. In 1961, the store was closed and remodeled into living
quarters. In 1963, Harold's spare time was used to build a bigger, more efficient
shop. During these years, he also added a wrecker service to his business. He
spent many hours coming to the farmer's rescue during planting and harvesting
season and also assisting highway travelers. After building his new shop, he
needed more room for his salvage cars, so he purchased some property from Jack Butler.
On August 19, 1967 a tragic accident at the intersection of Highway 34 and 25 took
the life of Nellie. This was a drastic turning point for Harold.
In September of 1967, he purchased a 1967 Pontiac Catalina. This was the first
new vehicle Harold had owned, and he drove if for the rest of his life! This car is
now owned by his grandson, Clark Burroughs.
On April 8, 1968, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Harold was united in marriage to Dona
Lorraine Gilbert of Troy, Kansas. Together they lived in Stringtown until Harold
retired in 1996, and they moved into Lenox.
Left to cherish Harold's memory are his loving wife of forty years, Dona Clark
of Lenox, a daughter Junell Burroughs and husband Vince of Wellman, Iowa, a
daughter-in-law Leona Clark of Richland, Iowa, a step-daughter Sharon Parrish
and husband Bill of Clearfield. a step-son Jerry Gilbert and wife Debbie of Corning,
fourteen grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; along with many other family
members and friends.
Preceding Harold in death are his parents, George and Bertha Clark; his first wife
Nellie; a son, Robert Clark in 1988; two sisters, Maudie Davis and Opal Roberts;
and a brother Cecil Clark.
Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday October 8, 2008