Wayne Arthur Clark

Wayne A. Clark gained his angel wings on June 21, 2018. Wayne was born in Iowa on February 27, 1943. He moved to Long Beach, California, with his family in the early 50’s, where he graduated from Millikan High School and attended Long Beach Community College.

As a natural born athlete, Wayne’s passion for baseball led to a short stint in the minor leagues. He continued his love for sports as an umpire and referee, which progressed to the collegiate level.

Wayne is a veteran of the USAF. Upon completion of service, he worked for MacDonald Douglass Aircraft prior to a 29-year career as a police officer with the Long Beach Police Department. Wayne, along with his partner, was the first recipient of the Medal of Valor. He also pioneered the Long Beach Police Athletics League. As an accomplished aviator, Wayne flew helicopters in the Special Air Unit for the LBPD, and was later elevated to the rank of Detective.

Wayne married Jane Fleming in December of 1976. Upon his retirement in 1995, Wayne and Jane, along with their youngest son, moved to Grand Junction, CO. Wayne served as a student liaison for Grand Junction High School and went on to drive for Avis car rentals.

He renewed his love of flying and received his private pilot’s license. Wayne was a proud owner of a Cessna 182 RG.

Wayne’s greatest gift was his family. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jane Clark; his six children, Randi Clark, Kristen (Rick) Mize, Julie Fleming, Scott (Kara) Fleming, Amy (Ray) Cordova, and Todd Clark; and six grandchildren, Amanda, Ryan, Kaitlyn, Sofia, Solana, and Gabriel.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Roberta Ponto, and her husband, Frank Ponto; and father, Wayne S. Clark, and his wife, Genevieve Clark.

Services will be held at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary, 2515 Patterson Road, Grand Junction, CO on July 6, 2018, at 2:00PM. He will be memorialized at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Grand Junction, CO.