Clarence Curtis Clark

Clarence Curtis Clark, 81, of Greeley, departed from this life on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at Hospice of Northern Colorado, following medical complications from a fall. He had developed Type 1 Encephalitis. Clarence was born on October 14, 1933 at the home near Ault, Colorado to Winton James and Ethel Olivia (Nordell) Clark.

Clarence was reared and educated in Pierce, Colorado, until the family moved to Evans during the blizzard of 1949. He graduated from Greeley High School in 1952. He made the basketball team during his sophomore year and was coached by Jim Baggot. However, his father would not let him play basketball because of Clarence’s duties of milking the family cows.

After graduation, Clarence entered the US Army in the fall of 1953. He served in Japan for a year. He was on the Army softball team as a pitcher and threw at 94 mph many times. Clarence was discharged on November 30, 1955 and returned to Colorado and worked at the dairy with his father.

He then met and married Geneva Taylor on November 4, 1956 at the Evangelical Free Church of Greeley. Reverend Jack Reeves, from the First Christian Church officiated the wedding. After their marriage, they moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming and helped Geneva’s parents, Jess and Louise Taylor, at the A & W Drive-In. The drive-in was recognized in the top two A & W Drive-In’s in the United States.

In the fall of 1960, Clarence returned to dairying south of Kersey. In 1964, he and Geneva owned and operated the Dog-N-Suds Drive-In in Boulder for two years. They rejoined Jess and Louise at the Dog-N-Suds on South 8th Avenue and 25th Street in Greeley. In 1970, the name was changed to JB’s Drive-In. He was active in the operation of the drive-in, including this past year. He started his cattle herd with three head and raised beef for the restaurant. Clarence looked forward to fishing and camping at Hog Park Reservoir, when the Drive-In closed in August with his family.

Clarence had a car collection he was very proud of and loved hosting the car shows at JB’s Drive-In.

Above all was the love for his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Clarence is survived by his wife, Geneva; daughter, Lezlee McQueen (Keith) of Arvada; son, Rod Clark (Lori) of Greeley; one brother, Byers Clark (Charlotte) of Yuma, Arizona; eight grandchildren, Jessica Klika (Jason), David Poland (Diana), Rebecca Poland, Taylor Clark, Kortney Clark, Marisa Clark and the twins, Jarod “Byrd” Clark and Brody Clark and four great-grandchildren and a great-grandchild expected this Spring.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister and four brothers, Carroll, James, Eugene and Neal.

Graveside service at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 9, 2015 at Linn Grove Cemetery. Celebration of Life will be at 3:00 p.m. Monday at Christ Community Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Clarence Clark Scholarship Fund in care of Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 West 28th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80634.

Please visit www.stoddardsunset.com to sign an online guestbook.