Clarence CLARK

CLARK, BOBO, TATE, MATER, SMITH

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/4/2016 at 15:44:17

November 28, 1924 ---- March 1, 2016

Clarence (Chuck) Clark
Johnston, Iowa --- Chuck Clark passed away peacefully at Mercy Hospice Johnston Iowa on March 1, 2016 after suffering a stroke. Chuck was born in Wolfpit, Kentucky in 1924 to Maggie and Hamilton Clark. He was one of six children. Chuck was a longtime resident of Eagle Grove, where he and his wife Virginia [Smith] farmed and raised their family. Chuck and Virginia moved to Johnston, Iowa in 2000. Chuck was a member of the Masonic Lodge and an avid golfer.

He was preceded in death by his wife and is survived by his sister Betty Bobo of Quilcene, WA., his three children, Cynthia Tate, from Polk City, IA, David Clark of Johnston, IA and Julie Mater from Carlsbad, CA. He has 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Please send memorials directly to Mercy Hospice, 5820 Winwood Drive, Johnston, IA 50131.

Des Moines Register - Iowa
March 4, 2016

******************

Clarence Clark of Johnston, Iowa, died on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. Clarence (Chuck) Clark was born in Wolfpit, Kentucky, in 1925 to Maggie and Hamilton Clark. He was one of six children of this coal mining family and often reminisced about this poverty stricken area and how having shoes was a luxury. In 1941, Chuck enlisted in the US Army, falsifying his age to get out of rural Kentucky. He often said this is what saved his life. After serving in the South Pacific, he was discharged and settled in Santa Monica, Calif. Chuck saved his money and was able to get his mother and sister moved to California for a better life. He worked as an electrician at the VA Medical Center where he met the love of his life, Virginia, who was working as a RN at the VA. They loved the beach and dancing to Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller Big Band music at clubs in Santa Monica.

Chuck and Virginia married in Eagle Grove in 1946. Chuck was so loved by his new in-laws, Florence and Russell Smith, who taught him how to farm. Chuck was eternally grateful for this and really loved the land. Chuck was a long-time resident of Eagle Grove, where he farmed and raised his family with his wife Virginia. Chuck and Virginia lived in Eagle Grove from 1949 until 2000, when they moved to Johnston. Chuck was a member of the Masonic Lodge, an avid golfer at the Eagle Grove Country Club, and a regular at the Farmers Co-op.

Chuck is survived by his sister, Betty Bobo, of Quilcene, Wash.; his three children, Cynthia Tate, from Polk City, Iowa, David Clark of Johnston, Iowa, and Julie Mater from Carlsbad, Calif. He has five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Chuck was honored with a pinning ceremony at Johnston Hospice for his military service. The family was in attendance and would like to thank Johnston Hospice for the love and respect shown Chuck and his family at this difficult time. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Please direct all memorials to Mercy Hospice, 5820 Winwood Drive, Johnston, IA.

Eagle Grove Eagle - Iowa
March 10, 2016