Lt. Col. Clark L. Wingate USAF (Ret.), age 92, was ordered to stand down and return to headquarters on December 11, 2018. Clark was surrounded by family at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Grand Junction, CO where he received the best of care. He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years Charline Davis Wingate; a daughter Laura Jane Wingate and faithful canine companion Clancy. Survivors include his sons, Jeffrey Page Wingate (Eleni) of Colorado Springs, CO and Tal Montgomery Wingate (Karen) of Mechanicsville, VA; daughters, Carrie Wingate Rogers (Mike) of Ringgold, VA and Emily Wingate Prescott (Lorne) of Grand Junction, CO. He is also survived by two wonderful grandsons Justin Rogers (Elizabeth) and Daniel Rogers both of Ringgold, VA and precious granddaughter Veronica Wingate of Colorado Springs, CO.
While growing up in Denver Clark loved skiing, enjoyed downhill racing and working as part of the ski patrol. It was on a weekend ski train that he met a beautiful redhead, which would later be his bride. In order to get out of a high school English class, he volunteered to help build the Alaska Highway that was to be an inland supply route for the anticipated Japanese invasion. After a brief stay in the Merchant Marines, Clark went home and was accepted into the newly formed 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army. The bonds with his fellow soldiers guided his life of service and devotion to country. While serving in Company L of the 87th Mountain Infantry, he turned 19 years old in a foxhole helping to drive the Germans out of Northern Italy. Clark lost many friends in the campaign whose names are inscribed in stone at the 10th Mountain Division Memorial on Tennessee Pass, CO. His family was proud to accompany him year after year on Memorial Day to lay wreaths at the memorial and plan to continue to the tradition as members of the 10th Mountain Division Descendants Association.
After the war Clark taught survival school and was drawn back to military service. He studied and worked hard as a junior officer and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel during his 25 year career with the U.S. Air Force. He traveled the world with his ever growing family and was stationed in Nevada, Germany, Florida, Alabama, Thailand and Washington DC. After retiring from military service he worked in the education field until retiring to Florida. When he lost his wife, Clark made his way back home to Colorado and continued to serve as a volunteer that included Saint Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, CO.
Clark loved the outdoors and camped whenever possible. In Virginia, he fulfilled a dream by having a house on the water with his own boat. At the end of the boat dock was a flag pole that proudly flew the U.S. flag for everyone to see. Clark was well known for his opinions and handle bar mustache. Yes, he was a character and his family has many “Clarkisms” to cherish. He is greatly missed by family and friends, which consider his passing the end of an era. A military ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Grand Junction, CO in the summer of 2019. The family requests that you honor and respect all past and present military personnel and their service to the United States of America.
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