Larry Vernon Clark

Larry Vernon Clark, 82, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, with his friend of 35 years, Jason Beduhn at his side. Larry was preceded into eternal rest by his beloved wife, Florence Clark.

Larry was born in1943, in Sacramento California. He served honorably in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam war, where he became an accomplished linguist and became one of the world's foremost experts in the Turkic languages of Central Asia. Larry earned a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics, a Master of Arts in Turkic studies and a Ph.D. in Central Eurasian studies from Indiana University. Larry's dissertation on the Old Turkic language as employed in medieval Uygur civil documents was widely circulated and known as a classic in the field. Larry was a visiting assistant professor at Indiana University from 1975 to 1980 and from 1990 to 1998. In his later years Larry published two volumes of his life's work of literature and was working on a third volume when his health failed. Larry was truly accomplished and respected in his field.

Larry is survived by his beloved daughter Stephanie Ricker (Matt), sister Patricia Pribyl, grandchildren Jessica Ricker, Billy Ricker, nieces Barbie Pribyl, Cindy Pribyl, nephew Lance Pribyl, great grandchildren Isabel Ricker, Benji Ricker.