Eugene Morris Clark 1923-2014

MORRIS, CLARK, CARTER, BRADFIELD, SKAGGS, CAMPBELL

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 6/26/2014 at 20:23:29

Eugene Morris Clark, 90, of Stockport died at 5:30 P.M. Thursday April 17, 2014 at Good Samaritan Health and Rehabilitation Center, Ottumwa. He was born west of Stockport July 11, 1923 to Milo Baugher and Birdena Odessa Morris Clark and married Ramona Maree Carter January 15, 1951 in Aiken, SC. Gene attended Spencer No. 6 rural school north of Stockport and graduated from Stockport High School in 1940. He worked at Radtke Blacksmith shop and helped his father farm and entered the Marine Corps May 9, 1944. He was in the battle of Okinawa for which he was awarded a Purple Heart and served as a guard on a coal train in China. He was honorably discharged May 31, 1946. He served as Stockport Postmaster for nearly 40 years before retiring November 3, 1994. He was the first training postmaster in Iowa and conducted his first training session in October, 1959 in Selma.

Gene continued to own the family century farm north of Stockport which has been in the family since 1899 and 40 acres of it since the 1840’s. The historic “landmark barn” with two unique cupolas was built in 1916 for his grandfather, Schuyler C. Morris and Gene enjoyed giving tours during the Villages of Van Buren barn tours. He coached little league baseball, ran the score clock for Stockport High School basketball games for many years and several years for Van Buren Community School junior high basketball games. He enjoyed puttering around with his old John Deere tractors, his oldest being a 1942 Model B.

Gene was a member of Stockport United Methodist Church, Elvin E. Cecil Post No. 147, American Legion, became a 50 year Mason in Workman Lodge No. 634 in 1998 and was a member of National Association of Postmasters of the United States and Stockport Heritage Society. He served 30 years on the Prairie Home Board and 39 years on Spencer Cemetery Board.

Surviving are his wife, a son, Tony Carter Clark of Urbandale, three daughters, Dena Maree Clark of Stockport, Tammy Maree Clark of Tetonia, ID and Madge Maree Clark of Indianapolis, IN and a grandson, Eric Bradfield serving in the U.S. Army in Germany. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Alice Louise Campbell and Anna Belle Skaggs.

Graveside services will be at 11 A.M. Monday April 21, 2014 in Spencer Cemetery northeast of Stockport, Pastor Richard Devore officiating. Military honors will be provided by Elvin E. Cecil Post No. 147, American Legion, Stockport. Visitation will open at 3 P.M. Saturday April 19, 2014 at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua with family present 5-7 P.M. Memorials to Morris Park, Spencer Cemetery or Elvin E. Cecil Post American Legion may be left at the funeral home or cemetery or mailed to the family at 611 North Main St., Stockport, IA 52651

Source: Van Buren County Register, Keosauqua, IA