David Clark
April 10th 1941-May 16th 2015David (Dave) Leonard Clark peacefully passed away at his residence in Lincoln County, at the age of 74, on the morning of Saturday May 16th 2015. He was born to Kenneth Wood Clark and Helen Elizabeth Clark (Zufelt) on April 10th 1941. He was raised on a dairy farm in Ellisburg, NY until the age of 18 where he enlisted in the Army. He was in the Army from 1959-1962 being honorably discharged as a Sergeant with his specialty being K9 Training. From there he had many occupations – worked for Carrier Corporation, Racing Stock Cars (#46), Hanging siding, and Installing pools…just to name a few. He managed The Horse Palace in O’Fallon, MO for many years. He met a lot of people in that occupation many knowing and considering him a friend. The last occupations he had were working at Lincoln Steel and then went to work for ConTech, as their Sawyer, where he retired.
Dave had a love for horses that he dedicated himself to his entire life. For those who knew Dave, he always made a lasting impression. Hard-working and Hard-Headed were two of the traits that best described him. His work ethic was phenomenal. His knowledge, of many things, will well surpass his time by those that he impressed it upon. If a person met and got to know Dave they were a better person for it.
He leaves behind 5 children from two marriages. His children will proudly continue to pass his legacy of knowledge, hard-headedness, and the ‘Clark Nose’ on for generations. They are Debra Clark from New York, Guy Clark from New York, Becki Bova (Mike) from New York, Joel Clark from Missouri, and Julie Madaus (Gary) from Missouri. He was the proud Grandpa of 8 Grandchildren – Kelsey, Brooks, Piper, Ariellah, Asah, Miri, Evan, and Ethan. Also the Great Grandpa of Karter. He also left behind a loving sister, Eleanor (Onnie) Canell of New York. He was predeceased by his Parents and his Brother Howard (Bud) Clark.
Dave had pre-paid for his cremation with St. Louis Cremation years before his passing, making sure that his children be left with no debt. He will be set free (spreading his ashes) at one of his favorite trail riding locations at sunset in Missouri and on his beloved brother Buds grave in New York, as a final goodbye to a Great Man. Dave wanted no funeral or memorial as he believed that no one should be crying, but should be celebrating the time they spent with him. So in lieu of flowers or donations please swing a leg up on a horse, or go to your local bar, get a drink, and toast him……..as he would have wanted. For those of you who knew him, you understand his last wishes. With the final words being from Dave (as always), we Salute…..“This Isn’t Sad Shit, I’m 74 Years Old, I Lived a Good Life. You’re Born, You Live, and Then You Die. That’s Just How It Is.”
I lost a wonderful friend. Dave would do anything for me and I him. We shared some good times, I loved this man. Dave you will be missed. Go in peace and know that you are loved. What a wonderful man.