Ray Leland Clark

It is with great sadness our family announces the passing of Ray Clark shortly after his 90th birthday. Born in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Dorothy and Leland Clark, Ray moved to San Jose at a very young age. He attended schools in the local area and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1948.

After graduation, Ray enlisted in the United States Navy. During his 21 years of service, first as a Lithographer then as a Photographer, Ray was stationed in many states, served several tours of duty overseas and served on the aircraft carrier USS Antietam CV-36 during the Korean War. He spent 2 years in Naples, Italy, followed up with a full tour of duty with the Taiwan Defense Command in Taipei, Taiwan. Ray served a tour of duty with VX-6 Squadron stationed in Antarctica, with the Deep Freeze Winter Over Party 1961-62 at McMurdo Sound and the South Pole. In San Diego he was with the Photo Squadron VFP-63 before moving to Indian Head, Maryland with the Explosive Ordnance Command where he retired from the Navy in 1969.

While stationed at Treasure Island and visiting his longtime friend from San Jose, Ray was introduced on a blind date to his future wife, Audrey (Larson) Clark who had recently moved from Nebraska to Oakland. They were married in Washington, DC on June 16, 1952. During their 68 years together, they moved from duty station to duty station. They became the parents of 3 daughters and 2 sons, Kathryn, Kevin, Karen, Kelley, and Kris who were born in cities in various parts of the world and in the United States.

After retirement, Ray and his family returned to San Jose. He furthered his education first

earning an AA degree from San Jose City College, then he went on to earn a BS degree in Accounting from San Jose State University. After graduation, he started a new career at

Lockheed Space and Missiles in Sunnyvale. Ray retired from Lockheed in 1995.

Ray was an Eagle Scout and remained very active with the Boy Scouts of America for decades and served in various capacities including Scout Master. He was a Lifetime Member of several military organizations including the Fleet Reserve Association for over 67 years, and was also a San Jose State University Alumni Association Lifetime Member as well as a Charter and Lifetime Member of the National Association of Naval Photography.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Kathryn Ryan, and infant granddaughter, Shaina Clark. He is survived by his wife, Audrey, his children, Kevin Clark,

Karen Beyer, Kelley (Ed) Clark Schmidt, and Kris Clark and 8 grandchildren, Brandon, Ashley, Nicholas, Melissa and Will Clark, Molly (Chris) Bolton, Natalie and Charlotte Schmidt.

A private family graveside service was held at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Donations can be made in Ray's memory to the Gary Sinise Foundation.