Clarence Clifford Clark 1917-2011

CLARK, GARRETT, HORNER, GRAY, CARTER, WILHELM, KING, ROLAND, MCLAIN, HALE

Posted By: Curtis (email)
Date: 1/13/2012 at 10:50:00

DEATH NOTICE:

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa January 4, 2012)

CLARK, Dr. Clarence C. "Doc," 94, of Lamoni, Iowa, died on Saturday December 31, 2011 at the Lamoni Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lamoni. Visitation will be open after 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at the Lamoni United Methodist Church in Lamoni, Iowa, with the family greeting friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 6, 2012 at the Lamoni United Methodist Church with Pastor Cathy Nutting officiating. Burial is in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Iowa. Arrangements are through Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home of Leon and Lamoni, Iowa.

Obituary -

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa January 4, 2012)

DR. CLARENCE C. "Doc" CLARK ... Dr. Clarence Clifford "Doc" Clark, age 94 of Lamoni, Iowa, son of Paul Luther and Nellie Maude [Garrett] Clark was born November 16, 1917 in rural Oklahoma and died December 31, 2011 at Lamoni Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

As a young boy, Clarence moved with his family to Colorado. He was a member of the Hilanders (a scouting organization), attending camp in 1928 and receiving his Private First Class in the group in 1930. Clarence was a member of the American Bantam Association in 1936 and had the grand champion chicken at what is now the Denver Stock Show.

Clarence graduated from South High School in Denver, Colorado in 1936 and then attended college. From he time he was four years old, Clarence's dream was to be an "animal doctor." He graduated from Colorado State College in Fort Collins, Colorado with his DVM and began his lifelong career as a veterinarian.

The last week of veterinary school, Clarence married Catherine Horner on April 8, 1942 in Denver. Doc received his State of Colorado Veterinary license on July 6, 1942. He and Catherine lived briefly in Kansas City, where Doc was a meat inspector for USDA. Clarence's last paycheck for meat inspection in 1943 was .49 with a yearly wage of $2400. Responding to an ad, Doc took the train to Lamoni in 1943, and stayed. Dr. C.C. Clark, DVM, began his lifetime large and small animal veterinary practice. Doc received his State of Iowa Veterinary license on January 14, 1944 and his State of Missouri Veterinary license in 1947. Dr. Bill McElroy joined Dr. Clark in 1958, and Dr. Tom Pease and Dr. Stuart Silver later joined the practice as the Lamoni Vet Clinic.

Four children were born to Clarence and Catherine: Charles Paul, John Richard, Lois Irene, and David Clifford. Catherine worked with her husband as secretary and veterinary assistant for many years. Doc lovingly care for all animals, and he liked all aspects of his work. Doc's easy-going, gentle, country doctor ways made all his "clients" his friends. He was dedicated and sincere. Clarence was also a good and accepting Dad to his family.

Clarence and Catherine shared nearly 50 years of marriage until her death on January 11, 1991.

He later married Charlotte [Gray] carter on April 5, 1992. charlotte preceded Clarence in death on March 10, 2009.

Clarence was a Mason, joining Leon chapter # 33, and receiving his 50-year membership in 1995. Clarence was a long-time member of the Lamoni United Methodist Church. He served as a Trustee during the time the new church was built and dedicated in 1972.

Doc enjoyed gardening - raising corn and big tomatoes. On his 90th birthday, Doc was honored to receive a flag that had flown over the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

In his last years, Doc was lovingly cared for by his family.

He is survived by his children: Charles Clark and wife Michelle of Eagleville, Missouri, John Clark and wife Tammy of Afton, Iowa, Lois Wilhelm of Denver, Colorado, and David Clark and wife Carol of Lamoni; 3 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren; Paul Anthony Clark and his sons Cody Anthony Clark and Cory John Clark, Jason Nathaniel Wilhelm and wife Andrea and their children Samantha Marie Wilhelm and Zoie Kay Wilhelm, and Catherine Joy Clark and her son Caelum Alexander King; step-children: Juanita Sue Roland, Geraldine "Gerri" McLain and husband Gerald, and Maxine Hale, and the rest of Charlotte's family, including grandchildren, great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.