OBITUARY
Clark R Bateman
August 20, 1955 – May 15, 2020
Clark Richard Bateman, 64, of Orlando, Florida died peacefully at home May 15, 2020. Clark was preceded in death by his parents Arthur A. Bateman, Jr. and Margery Jill Bateman. He is survived by his other half and former wife Beverly Bateman (Orlando), his son Michael D. Bateman (Orlando) and his whole world, his three loving grandsons: Cameron Michael Bateman, Dylan Clark Bateman and Kyle Wayne Bateman. He is also survived by his brother, Wayne R. Bateman. Clark was a member of Mensa and Who’s Who of America although he rarely spoke of those achievements. Clark started a career in irrigation design in the 1970’s with Florida Irrigation, only to achieve branching out on his own, building his own company, ProTurf Designs. Although Clark designed work for many companies, his primary work was done for Dix.Hite and Partners and they quickly became family. Clark was an expert in his profession and his design work was highly respected in the field. Clark also had a loving Aikido family at “Aikido Tenshinkai of Florida” run by Sensei Jose Andrade. Clark may be best known for his intelligent and insightful book reviews on the Aikido Journal and AikiWeb internet web sites. He had amassed an extensive book collection and always looked for a conversation where he could remind people of the historical, philosophical and spiritual aspects of Aikido, the art of peace, for fear the essence will be lost. The past few years the members of this special family brought him much joy although his health had declined and the physical teaching took a back seat. In his younger days he loved bowling, golfing, fishing, boating, dog races and coaching little league. Later in life he enjoyed Thai food while bonding with friends over many bowls of noodles and amateur baseball and hockey games getting a beer brat, a cold brew and maybe having a conversation with a baseball legend watching the spring training games. He also enjoyed poker and became quite good. He enjoyed playing in tournaments with the great Phil Hellmuth. Clark was an avid Florida Gator fan. No more can be said about that, GO GATORS.
Please join us at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd, Gotha, FL 34734 on July 18th at 10am for viewing with the service to start at 11am followed by private interment.
Services
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Visitation
Saturday, July 18, 2020
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Celebration of Life
Saturday, July 18, 2020
Memories
Clark R Bateman
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYBeverly Bateman
May 15, 2021
I won't try to hide, I miss you each day
My world has grown darker, a state of disarray
I try to keep smiling, hold tears for my own
But how do I go on, afraid and alone?
What seemed like my whole life, You, were a part
Starting a family, sharing our heart
As two turned to three, and three turned to six
Your departure was never, a part of that mix
I try to be grateful, you no longer feel pain
But I have to be honest, I don't share that gain
Your loss is immeasurable, your life surely missed
Each day I'm reminded, your love was a gift
Your presence in spirit, helps keep me afloat
As life's waves crash around me, you're my lifeboat.
I feel your help each and every day, just as if you were still here. Love, Bah
Beverly Bateman
May 15, 2021
A year has passed, our lives go on
Your memories sustain us, from dusk to dawn
Each morning your picture, smiles down on my desk
Filling my heart, that's all I can ask
I pray for guidance, patience, and strength
So much to still do, for the boys at great length
Molding their futures, guiding their fate
Knowing "we" made a difference , showing love not hate.
Some day when I join you, we both will look down
A big smile on our faces, never a frown
Life was good, we did our best
For as long as we could, now we can rest
Our love will live on, through the boys every day
That is my prayer, Dear Lord, I do pray.
I miss you so very much, Love Bah
Linda Aliff
June 28, 2020
You were always my strange, Florida Gator loving brother-in-law. Your love and devotion to my sister and your grandchildren will be missed. I'll also miss the funny birthday cards you sent each year, they always put a smile on my face. There was only one Clark Bateman, and he was one of a kind. Through the years we watched you as pain took over your life, and then the virus came along and you couldn't even get close to the ones you loved and cherished the most. May you rest in peace brother, and give our love to all on the other side. Miss you
STEPHEN FASEN
June 10, 2020
I have known Clark for many years as a fixture at Shindai Dojo. His love for Aikido is well known. I can attest to his sincerity and integrity as part of a great chorus of martial artists. His choice of coming to Shindai Dojo at times, just to sit, find comfort and absorb the environment, was always viewed with appreciation and great respect. His kindness, consideration, and gentle humor complimented whatever was happening, whenever he was with us. He inspired everyone as they observed his dedication to the heart of Aikido despite his limitations. We always talked about a return to health. To know that he will not be there in the future will make our future incomplete. We will always look for him, as such... the echo if his friendship, his voice and character will always be resident.
Personally, he and I never shared his favorite foods or socialized outside of the dojo, but I could always count on him to report on mutual friends. There will always be smiles with his memory. We shared many friends. To Lynn Seiser for example... he was an odd Hardy to a very large Laurel. An interesting dynamic of size and interaction. Budo brothers to the core, with an attitude he shared with others. I will always greatly honored to be among his Budo family.
Rest in Peace my friend.
Henry Ellis
June 10, 2020
I never personally met Clark, yet I felt I knew him over the years of contributions to Aikiweb, we also exchanged emails which were always a pleasure to receive .
My condolences to Clark's family and friends.
Thinking of you all at this sad time.
Henry Ellis (UK)
Lynn Seiser
June 10, 2020
Clark was my Budo-Bum Mat-Rat brother for 15-20 years. His intelligent and insightful book reviews contributed to the international Aikido community, who share the grief with great respect and gratefulness. I will miss our deli-lunches and Thai-food-dinners, but must of all I will miss our conversations. With love and appreciation for the time we shared the journey and looking forward to continuing it next time.
Beverly Bateman
June 8, 2020
Clark must have known for quite some time
His days were numbered, lives he'd leave behind
He left a letter secured in a safe
To be found by me at a much later date
Our life not like many others, bookends from the go
We held each other up while life would pass us hard and slow
Now one side of that structure, collapsed before my eyes
But strong you were and strong I'll be, with your help from the other side
You hoped to be a Grandpa, fearful that day would never come
But in God's plan, you were Grandpa to three not just one
Each of them were special, each a love for you to give
Each will always remember you as long as they shall live
They gave your life new meaning, not a minute did you waste
Being the best of all the Grandpas, making food for them to taste
You loved to cook new dishes, they loved to eat them too
Memories made to help us, in a time when we feel blue
We all know you will be there, watching everything we do
We only hope you left knowing the love we felt for you
Now let's not forget the wonderful man for me through thick and thin
Forty-six years and counting, couldn't have done it without him
His support and love and comfort, all I didn't deserve
He was there as long as he could be , my backup my reserve
His love was real but later, so was all his pain
To ask him to stay would have been selfish, nothing for him to gain
So he left us without warning, as normal as he could
In a better place today, oh his life is good.
Kristy TIgnor
May 18, 2020
We were so sad to hear that my wonderful cousin Clark had passed away. Clark was like another big brother to me. He was smart as a whip and had a wicked sense of humor! I will never forget his huge laugh, which resounded throughout any room! I have great memories of playing, laughing and having fun at our grandmother's house in Sarasota. In recent years, Clark and I emailed a lot and I treasure those emails as, anytime I want to laugh out loud, I will read them again! He had a heart of gold, always concerned about family members. We will miss him terribly, but are happy that he no longer is in pain. Rest in Peace my beloved cousin!
Kristy and Stan Tignor
Hamp, Hayley and Kelly
Larry Spade
May 16, 2020
See ya on the other side my friend.
Larry Spade