George Wardell Clark, 1921-2008

CLARK, ZACH, MCCOY

Posted By: Sharon K Hesebeck (email)
Date: 4/19/2013 at 18:29:04

George Wardell Clark
Born: January 12, 1921
Died: March 20, 2008
Age: 87

SERVICES
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at the United Methodist Church in Royal

CASKET BEARERS
Ken Heimgartner - Rick Peterson - Roger Zieman - Lonnie Hansen - Dan Seavert - Douglas Brons

INTERMENT
At a later date

George Wardell Clark, the son of Rolland (Rolla) and Fredricka (Freda) (Zach) Clark was born January 12, 1921, on the homestead farm near Royal, the same day his family received rural electricity. His childhood years were spent on the family farm near Royal where he attended country school. In his early years, his brother Bob would ride with him to school on their horse. On one particular day, George was riding his horse to school by himself when he encountered a blinding blizzard. George dropped the reigns, crouched down, and said to the horse let go home. They both eventually made it back safely. He graduated from Royal High School in 1938.

George excelled in sports, especially baseball. The professional baseball league was scouting him; however, when WWII broke out, the league was disbanded.

In the fall of 1939 George met Willmer Louise McCoy, at the Clay County Fair where she was showing calves. They were united in marriage four years later on November 21, 1943 in Terril, Iowa. During World War II, George tried three separate times to join the Army Air Corps because he wanted to serve as a pilot. He was declined each time for various health reasons, so he settled down with his wife on the family homestead where he farmed organically. In addition to farming he also milked cows, raised feeder cattle, chickens, and hogs.

Being a farmer was not the only job George enjoyed. He was a great welder, and he also owned Georges Gun Shop, which he ran out of the basement of his home. He sold, traded, and fixed guns, often making his own replacement parts when none were available. His passion for firearms led him to many shooting competitions where he earned hundreds of medals. His greatest accomplishment was winning the Iowa State Small-Bore Target Championship twice. George shared his passion for shooting sports by teaching hunter safety courses with his long time friend, Danny Seavert.

Although George could not serve in the Army Air Corps, he did not let that deter him from fulfilling his dream to become a pilot. He took flying lessons in Spencer, soloing in a J-3 Piper Cub airplane. He earned his pilots license, and throughout his life owned two different airplanes. His first was a Piper J-5 Cub, and the second was a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser. He had a landing strip on his farm which was later registered as the Royal Airport. George enjoyed giving rides to people, especially children, who had never flown before.

George was an active member of the Royal United Methodist Church, where he loved to play saxophone solos, and taught Sunday school for many years. In addition to being a Mason, George was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Royal. In his spare time he was a Boy Scout Leader and Cub Scout Master.

More than anything George loved being around his family. He was an avid fisherman, and enjoyed taking his family on fishing vacations the first week of every June. These adventures included several canoe trips to the boundry waters of northern Minnesota. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

On March 20, 2008, George passed away at the Spencer Hospital at the age of 87. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Willmer Clark, and three sons; Gary (Debbie) Clark of Russell, KS, Gregory (Denise) Clark of Springdale, AR, and Grant (Deanna) Clark of Anchorage, AK. He also enjoyed his four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one cousin, as well as other relatives and countless friends.

Warner Funeral Home of Spencer, IA