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Richard Danial Clark

January 17, 1934 - May 3, 2022

U.S. Veteran

Services Date May 13, 2022

Obituary Viewed 847 times

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Richard Daniel Clark, known as “Rick” or “Dick” by family and friends, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 88 on May 3, 2022.

Rick was born on January 17, 1934 in Rochester, New York to Lois and Walter Clark. As a teenager, he moved with his mom and siblings to Los Angeles where he stayed briefly before enlisting in the 82nd Airborne. His military service took him to Illinois, North Carolina, and then after a serious parachuting jump accident, to San Francisco, where he spent several months recovering. He was told he would not be able to walk again, so, true to form, he bet the treating doctor a steak dinner that he would walk down the hospital hall after rehabilitation. He left San Francisco after that steak dinner with the doctor and returned home to Los Angeles, where he soon met Judy Kay through a mutual friend at a party. Love blossomed and they married on October 28, 1956.

Rick and Judy raised three children, Steven Jerome, Deborah Sue and Anthony Alan, in Culver City. A devoted father, Rick raised their three children while working at Hughes Aircraft, where he ultimately retired after 36 years of service. Rick was an actively involved father, coaching football and baseball for his sons, and teaching his kids the importance of muscle cars, practical jokes, and doing as he says, not as he does!

After Rick retired, he and Judy moved to Oceanside, where they spent many years enjoying grandchildren, socializing with neighbors-turned-friends, and where Rick managed a regular schedule of bowling leagues. Rick was an avid bowler – he maintained high averages and loved the camaraderie at the alley – something he enjoyed regularly until age 85. He shared his love of the sport with his children and grandchildren, and spent his last several years bowling in leagues with his daughter, Debbie, and sometimes his granddaughter Jenny. As he’d commonly advise, bowling is as simple as “shaking hands”…

Rick is cherished by his family for his extreme loyalty – he ALWAYS put family first, and he is fondly remembered for his incredible sense of humor, meticulous cars, playful and joyful spirit, organized home, and enormous heart.

Rick was preceded in death by his loving wife of 45 years, his parents, his eldest son, Steven Clark, his sister Mary Clark, and brothers Bert Clark and Kriss Smith. He is survived by his daughter and caregiver, Deborah Sue Anders, son Anthony Clark (Christine), daughter-in-law Anna Clark; grandchildren Jennifer Anders-Gable (Shawn), Julie Anders-Balogh (Matthew), Jamie Clark, Steven Clark, Daniel Anders (Kayla), Amber Clark, and Paul Betty (Mary); great-grandchildren Bryce Clark, Kira Gable, Willow Gable, Ryan Gable, Sadie Balogh, Noelle Balogh and Hunter Anders; brothers, Robert Clark, Lew Smith (Regine), Tim Smith (Shirley), and Patrick Smith (Fawna); and many nieces and nephews.