Henry Clark was a truly decent man. He was born June 25, 1931 in Mineral Springs, Arkansas to "wonderful parents," William Bennett and Mamie Pearl (Spencer) Clark. After graduating 17th in his high school class in 1949, Henry served in the Korean War for 3 years, 9 months, 27 days. In 1954, he moved to Alamogordo, NM, where he met Vickie Lee Snell in a laundromat. Since their wedding on June 1, 1958, Vickie was his priority - "my wife - my life." In June 2018, the family celebrated Henry and Vickie's 60th wedding anniversary. In those 60 years, none of us heard Henry say a single bad thing about Vickie. He always said Vickie was a "good woman," and there is no doubt that his marriage to Vickie was the highlight of his full and happy life.
Henry enjoyed his work as a rural-route mailman for 44 years, despite 17 dog bites. He walked miles and miles each day, stopping to take care of those on his route, even regularly clipping the toenails of a homebound old man. He owned and operated Clarks Ol' Fashion Mops and Brooms from the early 70's until 2009. He peddled his mops and brooms across the region in an old, grey van. He valued the friendships he developed on his "sellin' trips" across the state. In retirement, Henry putted around town in ACE, his 1931 Ford Tudor Model A, and he got a real kick out of peoples' friendly waves when he honked the famous Model A horn. After over 50 years in Alamogordo, Henry and Vickie went on a "new adventure" in 2014 and moved in next door to their daughter and son-in-law, Janis and Greg, in Wichita Falls. Henry was a Godly man. He was dedicated to his churches, Calvary Baptist Church in Alamogordo and Western Hills Baptist Church in Wichita Falls.
Henry was devoted to his family, and he taught us what it means to be a Clark. He was deeply ingrained in his children's lives in a way that was ahead of his time. Dad/Grandpa showed up without being asked - to dance concerts, soccer and football games, cancer surgeries, graduations, the Air Force base in England, and a college dorm to deliver a forgotten dress. He adored his children, and he adopted their spouses - Greg and Carla - as his own. His grandchildren were blessed that he invested significant time and energy to develop a deep and meaningful relationship with each of them, though he would for sure credit Grandma for facilitating that. Henry was patient and kind; he lived unconditional love.
Grandpa's bright blue eyes twinkled. He was fun! He was a storyteller with a remarkable memory. His grandchildren loved to talk to him about the "old times," and his rhymes, jokes, and stories always seemed to have alternative endings to fit the lesson. Henry had the distinct gift of being able to cut through complexity to impart wisdom with a few simple words. He knew what was important.
It is fitting that Gramps passed right before Thanksgiving. Besides, "I love you," the phrase he uttered most was, "I'm blessed." Even when times were hard, Grandpa was thankful. We are blessed and honored to be his legacy.
Henry was predeceased by his parents, daughter Katherine Estes, brothers Lewis, Dan, Terrell, W.B., and Ed. He is survived by his wife Vickie, his sisters Columbia Winchester, Peggy Westfall, and sister-in law, Gay Clark, his children Noel and Carla Clark of Dalhart, TX and Janis and Greg Heebner of Wichita Falls, TX, grandchildren Jordan Clark Kearney (John) of San Jose, CA, Stephanie Estes of Alamogordo, NM, Nathan Clark (Kristine) of Centennial, CO, Jaron Estes of Albuquerque, NM, Ashton Heebner (Chris) of Wichita Falls,TX, Paxton Henry Clark (Courtney) of Carlsbad, NM, and Tori Heebner (Hayden) of Lubbock, TX and great grandchildren Armoni Estes, James Malachi Estes, and Eloise Joy Kearney.
Memorial service will be at Hampton Vaughan Crestview Funeral Home on Tuesday November 20th at 10am. Online condolences welcomed at www.HamptonVaughanCrestview.com
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to Hospice of Wichita Falls.
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Hospice of Wichita Falls4909 Johnson Road, Wichita Falls, Texas
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