Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Phil enjoyed his time at Big Lake.

He told another nurse when she went to Myrtle Beach to stay at a 3-star hotel so she could stay 10 days instead of 7.

In the final analysis, the bottom line is that Phil had given his heart to Jesus years ago and has the promise of heaven, where he no longer will need canes or a scooter to get around and most importantly is with the LORD and other family and friends that have trusted Jesus as their savior!! We are sinners in need of a savior. And Jesus loved us enough to die so that we can live with Him forever in paradise. John 11:25 Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying." Phil absolutely would want all of his loved ones to one day be with him again. So if anyone here doesn't have a relationship with Jesus, please don't wait to start your new life in Christ. As Christians, we never have to say goodbye for the last time. Instead of goodbye, we say, "I'll see you again someday.

Phil, we love you and will miss you dearly. See you later!!

(continued)....He always asked, "how are the pups," even though most of them are senior dogs. They loved for Grandpa Phil to come and visit, he always gave them extra special attention. And generally, he told Kerry as they would finish their phone visits to give the wife a hug and pat the dogs. As you know, he was quite a conversationalist and if he told you something and you didn't quite hear it the first time, never fear...he generally told you the same thing at least three times. Now that worked out well when he was giving me instructions for picking up his groceries and meds, especially if I was driving. I could usually remember it after hearing it three times. Laugh out loud!!

While he lived at Lynd Place he was basically a self-appointed welcoming committee for new residents, inviting them to bingo games, to play cards, work a puzzle or come to a scheduled activity. Our women's bible study group went Christmas Caroling there the last 2 years and he was our official guide around the facility. He knew every resident, where they lived, how old they were and let us know if we needed to sing louder because they were hard of hearing or if we needed to gather at their door, because he knew if they were able to come out in the hall or not. He was a kind and compassionate neighbor to them all. On last Wednesday, George, his buddy that he had meals with said Phil always told him about the houses he built and even recently, houses he wanted to go look at. He never gave up his dream of being independent again. In fact, he thought he was going to move back to the lake while his house was on the market and had all of his stuff packed in boxes. Thank you LORD that his house sold the first day it was on the market. However, he kept his boxes packed, keeping his dream alive.

The last time we visited with him, he told us that he had been giving one of the nurses boating tips because they had just gotten a boat: be sure to have a rope, a whistle, be sure the plug's in...

Today I thank you for the opportunity of having the blessing to officiate the funeral service for Philip. I was blessed to meet a wonderful family that Philip leaves behind. I pray that God's Word was assuring and comforting today. I praise God for the raised hands and shared the prayer of salvation at the end of the service.  Finally, there is one final letter/memory written that needs to be shared. Unfortunately, I missed reading this today. Here is the letter:

"This is written by Phil's daughter in law, Arla: In reflection on the last 25 years that I've been a part of the Clark family the first thing that really stands out to me is Phil's attitude. As his mobility became more challenged over the years he rarely complained about his physical condition but chose to enjoy his life. He got slower and slower and eventually walked with 2 canes but by golly, he got around and wasn't afraid to go places.  Admittedly, we were nervous about his driving, but God always kept him and others safe. When we'd be at the lake, he was not too proud to be dragged, hoisted or rolled on and off the boats and never complained. He loved and enjoyed being with his family and loved the water and boating.

Phil loved feeding and watching the birds and would regularly ask what birds we had seen that day, or described birds and wanted to know what kind they were. He would talk about the chippies and squirrels at his house at the lake and that he liked to give them corn. He had a thing for trees and gave us little starts of trees, of which are now towering and majestic...a tulip tree, four sycamore trees and even earmarked our Christmas money this year to go toward a flowering crab tree. We also have a monstrous trumpet vine that he gave us a start of and lots of railroad lilies. He simply loved nature in general.

To be continued on next page... (unfortunately, there is a 2000 word max length to a posting)


OBITUARY

Philip Eugene Clark

January 21, 1939 – July 2, 2019

Elm Ridge Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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