Clark Dicks Sr.

“Seeing is believing.” For many, those words simply represent a motto. But for Clark Dicks Sr., it summarized in every way who he was. He was modest, quiet and observant, taking in everything around him and always thinking before acting. He was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in everything he did. He was a friendly person who truly cared about those around him.

Clark was born on May 1, 1927 at at his home in Grey Eagle, Minnesota. He was the son of Vernon and Mary Eldard Dicks. Raised in Grey Eagle, he was brought up to be tolerant and trustworthy. As a child, he learned to be conscientious, responsible and punctual. These were all traits that he would carry with him throughout his life.

As a young boy, Clark was always aware of how others around him felt and this quality served him well. With a deep capacity to tolerate the feelings of others, Clark was generally able to avoid conflicts. It seemed as if Clark was the family member who was always working to keep stress at bay. Preferring a quiet environment where he could concentrate, Clark also had the ability to relate well with his family and friends. Clark was raised with seven siblings. He had an older brother Roger, older sister Nona, two younger brothers Rich and Bill and three younger sisters Ramona, Verna, and Jean. Clark was constantly involved in activities with his family. Clark and his siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up but they deeply cared for each other and shared many life experiences over the years.

Most folks would say that Clark was shy until they got to know him. Those who were privileged to know him well learned that he was a solid, good friend. Clark was reluctant to generalize about people, and he based his friendships on his personal experiences. Because of this, Clark best trusted those people that he truly knew. He was concerned about how those around him felt, and he always seemed to uncover the positive side of people. He could relate to others and had the ability to see their point of view, to “walk a mile in their shoes,” as the saying goes. The friends that he made, Clark kept. While growing up, some of his best friends were Leeroy Ausendarf. Later in life, he became friends with Warren LeFever and Bill Judd.

Love can’t be defined but must be experienced. That was so true for Clark, and he experienced it with Dorothy Irene Haynes. Clark and Dorothy were married on February 12, 1949 in Oak Lawn, Illinois. He was totally committed to Dorothy and maintained traditional ideals about marriage. It was as if Clark naturally sensed his spouse’s needs, and accepted those feelings unconditionally. Although Clark disliked conflict, he did not take flight from discord, but rather sought to preserve harmony even during the most trying times.

Clark was a good father to his children. He had “old fashioned” parental values and could handle typical family conflicts in a fair and calm manner. Because he trusted emotions, Clark was reluctant to force issues and used gentle persuasion to resolve situations. In this way he seemed to radiate an aura of warmth and caring to those around him, always thinking before acting. In addition, Clark was a master planner. No matter how hectic life around him might be, he seemed to know and track everyone’s schedule. Clark and Dorothy were blessed with three children. They had one son, Clark, and two daughters, Louanna and Nancy. They were also blessed with seven granddaughters, Jennifer, Traci, Shannan, Ami, Beth, the late Janine, and Sarah.

If you gave Clark a deadline, he would meet it. At work, Clark was always on task. Without hesitation, Clark could adhere to any assignment and see it through to its completion. His primary occupation was as a forklift driver working in a warehouse. Because Clark was dependable and trustworthy, he was able to stay with the same employer for long periods of time. He was employed for 27 years with Kroger Foods, then 20 years with Dominick's Foods. During that time, Clark excelled in working with small groups in order to complete assignments. He was able to quickly grasp concrete ideas and could organize and plan the best way to accomplish things with remarkable consistency. Clark was good at staying on track and was considerate in listening to what others had to say. In this way, Clark had at true gift for being able to come up with practical resolutions to difficult problems. He was often the team member who managed to put forth a win/win solution for all parties.

Clark liked to experience things first hand, in addition to simply learning about them. This quality influenced Clark's choice of leisure time activities. A methodical and patient worker, Clark preferred to set aside uninterrupted time to work on his hobbies. His favorite pursuits were repairing cars and watching western shows. Clark was content to sit quietly alone, enjoying his hobbies all by himself and could often be found just reading about his favorite pastimes.

While thorough and measured in his approach to things, Clark often liked to physically do things rather than just think about them. He was like that with sports. He also enjoyed the statistical data and the facts behind the sports. In this way, he was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite teams whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list was wrestling.

An individual who respected and maintained traditional values, his faith was important to Clark. His compassion, consideration and sympathy toward others was evident in his personal beliefs. He was a member of the Woodridge United Methodist Church for 46 years and enjoyed attending with his wife, Dorothy.

Anyone who traveled or went on vacation with Clark had smooth sailing. It was often taken for granted that he was the trip planner. He would start early and examine all of the possibilities, selecting the best and most effective options. Favorite vacations included family trips to Minnesota. Clark also liked very much the six week long trip through several states that he and Dorothy took.

Clark was as loyal to his pets as they were to him. As a child he had two horses, Gin and Brady; and a dog named Sport.

He had taken the time to learn about his various options and chose his course wisely. His new life involved relocating to Minnesota, then to Janesville, Wisconsin. However, Clark and Dorothy came back to Illinois to be near the family. Even in retirement, Clark continued to stay in touch with his old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. He was active in the community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered him.

Clark passed away on February 21, 2010 at his home in Woodridge, Illinois after fighting a brave battle against cancer. He is survived by his children: Louanna (Ken) Sloup, Clark (Pati) Dicks, Jr., Nancy (Randy) Strauel; 6 granddaughters: Jennifer, Traci, Ami (Dave), Beth (Marc), Shannan (Darrin), Sarah (Trevir); 8 great grandchildren: Evan, Emily, Michael, Nicholas, Thomas, Jackson, Spencer, and Trevir, Jr.; 4 sisters: Nona, Ramona, Verna and Jean; and one brother Richard; many nieces and nephews.

Visitation Thursday, February 25, 2010 from 3-8 pm at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave., Lisle (on Rt. 53, ½ mile south of Ogden Ave. / Rt. 34). Lying in state Friday, February 26, 2010 from 10:30 am until time of funeral service at 11:00 am at the Woodridge United Methodist Church, 2700 W. 75th St., Woodridge, Illinois, then laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Dorothy, in Clarendon Hills Cemetery in Darien, Illinois.

It is said that some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Clark was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs, thus making the forest stronger as a whole. Clark was a trustworthy, pragmatic and sympathetic person, the kind of man to whom everyone was drawn. He was thorough and practical. Clark Dicks was very literal with his words. You always knew where you stood with Clark. He will be missed.

OBITUARY

Clark Dicks, Sr., age 82, beloved husband of the late Dorothy, devoted father of Louanna (Kenneth) Sloup, Clark (Pati) Dicks, Jr., and Nancy (Randy) Strauel. Loving grandfather of Jennifer, Ami, Traci, Beth, Shannan, Sarah, and the late Janine. Great grandfather of Evan, Emily, Michael, Nicholas, Thomas, Jackson, Spencer and Trevir. Dear brother of Nona Walker, Ramona Walker, Verna (Mac), Jean (Louie), Richard (Sue) Dicks, and the late Roger and late Bill Dicks. Fond uncle of many. Visitation Thursday 3-8 pm, February 25, 2010 at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave., Lisle (on Rt. 53, ½ mile south of Ogden Ave. / Rt. 34). Lying in state Friday, February 26, 2010 from 10:30 am until time of funeral service at 11:00 am at Woodridge United Methodist Church, 2700 W. 75th St., Woodridge. Interment Clarendon Hills Cemetery. For service info, call 630-964-9392.