Carl Joseph Clark

In Matthew Kelly’s book “Rediscover Jesus” it speaks of the love of a mindful father. It is that idea and that love which best embodied Carl Joseph Clark. Carl Clark was a wonderful husband, and a wonderful father, and a wonderful father-in-law, and grandfather, and grandfather-in-law, and great grandfather, and brother, uncle, son, cousin, friend, co-worker, classmate, neighbor, and employee. In every role he lived, and to everyone he met, he was a good and gracious man.

Carl was blessed with many wonderful talents, and through those talents has lived his life in the way to which Jesus has called us. Carl was a kind and generous man, a good father to us all, who would give you the shirt off of his back if you needed it. He strived to be of service to everyone in his life, from his immediate family to his extended family, to his friends, and to every acquaintance he ever made. Carl was a blessing to everyone he met.

Carl’s life has been full of love and of family since the beginning. Carl’s Mother died when he was 6 years old. He and his brother Lloyd were raised by his Sister Margorie and brother-in-law Harold, and the two boys grew up side by side as siblings with Elaine and Eddie.

As a young man, Carl attended Rosedale High School where he lettered in football and track. He threw the javelin and the shot-put in field events in high school. Perhaps his most important high school accomplishment was meeting his wife, Bonnie, with whom he would start a family. Of all the lives he touched, none was more important to Carl, or more blessed by having him in their lives, than his family. A Father loves, cares for, and protects his children and Carl did that and more for his three boys.

After graduation, he held many jobs to keep that family going: working at a gas station, working at Bendix, and doing automotive work. Carl then became a TWA machinist for 32 years until he retired in 1998, making many lasting friendships and improving the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know him.

As a father, Carl did everything he could to give his children all they needed to live, learn, grow and thrive. He made tremendous sacrifices to bring things to his family. Despite his heavy work schedule, he made time to help coach baseball and football, and attend wrestling matches, scouting campouts and school concerts. He was a teacher, a leader, and a coach. He taught his sons to hunt, and fish, camp and water ski. Most importantly, he taught his children how to become good men, and then good husbands, and then later good fathers. Through his example he helped create generations of wonderful families.

Carl was a giving man. But he didn’t just give his family anything and everything they asked for. Instead, what he gave them was just what they needed, including some things they might not have even asked for, in order to bring them joy. Carl built two Football helmet lamps, a china cabinet for Bonnie, bookcases, a cedar chest, and rebuilt the family home, as well as giving countless other gifts of his time and talents. Most of all, he built a family. He remembered their birthdays and their anniversaries and gave them things that would bring them joy or make their life a little easier— to make them happy. He gifted them with experiences, with cruises, water skiing trips, and vacations, bringing his family with him as he traveled to most of the states, and to places as far flung as Europe, Jerusalem, and Hawaii. Carl filled the lives of his family with every kind of joy.

Carl is survived by the family he has built: by his wife of 60 years, Bonnie, and his three sons, Jeffrey (Becky), Richard, and Terry (Rose); His five grandchildren, Stacy Clark, Jenny and Jeffrey Venning, Jeffrey and Chelsea Clark, Mary and Mitchell Kline, and Carl Clark as well as his two great grandchildren, Oliver and Franklin Venning. He is survived by his sister Elaine, Brother-in-law Glenn Stevens, sister-in-law Myrna Clark, his best friend Ronnie Atwell, and his many nieces and nephews.

God was not waiting for Carl. His arms have always been open and God has always had Carl in his embrace. His life is a testament to that. But all the siblings who have preceded him in death, Kelly, Eugene, Lawrence, Bill, Lloyd, and Marge, as well as his best friend Jimmy Lange, THEY were all waiting with the Lord to embrace Carl when he arrived. His parents George and Ada Clark were there too. Carl feels the warmth and love and the light of Jesus. Someday, Carl will share that love and warmth with us there, as he has always shared his blessings with all of us.

Carl’s funeral services will be 11:30am, Saturday, March 5th at Chapel Hill – Butler, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas; with visitation time from 10-11:30am preceding the service at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice or the American Cancer Society.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the entire Kansas City Hospice crew for their unwavering support and assistance during this difficult time.

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” - (John 10:27-28)