His was a life which was full. A life of… love, faith, action, servanthood, thoughtfulness, compassion, wisdom, leadership, humor, wit and… We do and will continue to miss him greatly.
The physical being of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and dear friend peacefully drew his final breath while being comforted, caressed and prayed over by his loving wife and a host of family.
While we do celebrate his departure for what it means for him, the harsh reality each of us must experience/endure when we lose a loved one is certainly one we now share. The recognition that we no longer have the opportunity to see him in the flesh and enjoy the richness of his personality, his mannerisms and his countless good qualities is difficult to accept, but we do rejoice in the fact that he is in the arms of Jesus, his Savior and Lord. We are blessed!
Although the certificate will read August 3, 2021, his final moments with us were late Monday, August 2, 2021. We continue to be so thankful for the blessing of him.
His life... Born… August 12, 1937. Died… August 3, 2021.
Beloved wife… Twila Jeanne Clark
Children.. Phil and Nancy (Schultz)
Brother… Steve Clark & Cheryl (Sister-in-law)
Parents… Don and Lois Clark
Brother-in-law and sister-in-law… Carroll and Lillie Brown
Daughter-in-law… Tina Clark (married to Phil)
Son-in-law… Steve Schultz (married to Nancy)
Grandkids and great grandchildren… Phil & Tina lineage…
Kristen (Clark) McElroy & husband - Chuck McElroy… Hudson and Elizabeth.
Matthew & wife - Rachel Clark… Rowan, Auden and Porter.
Leslie (Clark) Vance & husband - Josh Vance… Lynley, Gareth, Dalton and Annalise
Emilee (Clark) Greig & husband - Kyle Greig… Mylo and Oliver
Nancy & Steve lineage…
Jamie (Schultz) McQuinn & husband - Gary… Noah, Alana, Judah and (expecting # 4)
Curtis & fiancee’ - Ashtyn Bell (to be wed… January 21, 2022)
*Noteworthy… Given the family’s sentiments about family, the reference to “in-law” is difficult to place after any of the above and is strictly used to help clarify the connections. Despite our own ability to fully understand the reference/distinction, our history together and with Dad’s (grandpa’s) clear sentiments… there is some difficulty using the reference here. Once in… the label is family! (Smile).
Ken and Twila met while they attended Kansas School for the Deaf. The KSD Homecoming King and Queen of 1954 would eventually become man and wife on June 18, 1960. They celebrated 61 glorious years as a married couple. However, the family playfully adds the five prior as it represented an “extended” courtship while Ken attended college at Gallaudet in Washington, D.C.
Together, they raised two children… Phil and Nancy. Both were born in Kentucky while Ken taught at Kentucky School for the Deaf. They returned “home” to Olathe, Kansas in 1963 where Ken would spend his professional career teaching, coaching, counseling at Kansas School for the Deaf. In addition, he taught a number of courses at Johnson County Community College for over 40 years. He would also often serve as a “voice” for the deaf community in various capacities (countless local and state-wide committees) during this time period as well.
Over the years, Ken and Twila would experience Christian fellowship in several different locations, but ultimately discovered their church “home” with the Countryside Baptist Church community where Nancy and Steve also share fellowship. His walk with the Lord Jesus has been present for countless years, but it is clear his walk truly deepened over the past decade or so.
Ken’s passions… First… his faith. Followed by… his family and all which comes with it. (Protection, wisdom, humor and shared experiences.) His community… beginning with a devotion to serving to enhance the awareness of the deaf
community. Fishing… his love of the outdoors and, particularly, for fishing. Outdoor activity.
Plans to honor him… Visitation… (Open to public) Saturday, August 7 at 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Countryside Baptist Church, 14150 W. 175th Street, Olathe, KS. Private Memorial service will follow.
Note: This arrangement has taken into account the family’s commitment to the continued promotion of steps to provide a safe and comfortable experience for all parties. Given the current situation with regard to COVID 19 and the vulnerability associated with such social gatherings, we insist all who wish to participate in the visitation wear a mask as it is intended to be worn and practice social distancing while inside the church building. Thank you for honoring this expectation.
We do encourage those who wish to share a favorite story or memory they’ve experienced with Ken, to do so either on the McGilley & Frye website or simply send your written message to…
Twila Clark
℅ Phil Clark
18581 W. 170th Terrace
Olathe, Kansas 66062
Thank you for your relationship with Ken or the members of his family which brings you to consider thinking about us, prayers or joining us during the visitation on Saturday.
1 Corinthians 2:9… But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”
