| Graduation Year | Class of 1964 |
| Date of Passing | Aug 09, 2019 |
| About | Richard "Dick" Merle Clark, a retired Army Veteran and longtime resident of Lynnwood, Washington, passed away unexpectedly on August 9, 2019 at the age of 73. He was born in Yakima, Washington on April 17, 1946 to Floyd Merle Clark and Katherine Louise (Millard) Clark. Dick grew up in Yakima, graduating from Eisenhower High School in 1964. Dick was drafted into the U.S. Army in January 1966. After basic training, he completed a course in Marine Engineering which qualified him as a Light Amphibian Operator. During his service in Vietnam and Thailand, he was involved in hauling munitions and other supplies inland from ships anchored offshore. He continued his career with the US Army Reserves and was activated as a firefighter during Operation Desert Storm, retiring later from the Army Reserve. He was the recipient of numerous individual and unit medals during his military service. Dick would describe himself as a dyed-in-the-wool Red, White and Blue American who was proud to serve his country. He loved to volunteer his time and knowledge at the Veteran's Museum and contributed his experience at Lynnwood's Hero's Cafe, an establishment that meets with veterans and connects them to health care, jobs and VA benefits. He was active with the Hookers, and association comprised of present and past members of the 92nd Aviation Company, US Army Reserves. Dick also spent years as a volunteer fireman for the Bellevue & Lynnwood Fire Departments. Dick had many hobbies and interests. He loved spending time with family and numerous friends he truly enjoyed. He and Vickie would visit breweries and wineries throughout the state and enjoyed vacationing at their favorite place, Pacific Beach along the Washington Coast. He loved to garden and was a master at making the most beautiful hanging flower baskets for he and Vickie & his daughters. After the 9/11 Twin Towers tragedy, Dick started making memorial hanging baskets out of old firefighter, combat and flight helmets. He loved country music and was a die-hard Seattle Seahawks fan. Dick's joys in life were Vickie Burnham (treasured love, best friend and ardent supporter), his pride & joys daughters Angela, Stephanie and Victoria and the icing on the cake....his grandchildren. The moments he spent with them filled his heart and meant the world to him. Dick's marriage of nine years to first wife Debra (Heisel) Miller gave him two daughters, Angela Ondracek and Stephanie Clifton. The daughters blessed him with four grandchildren, Nicholas, Nathan, Kollin and Shelby. His second marriage to Judy (Lopp) Clark added three stepchildren, Debbie Schnitzmeier, Dennis Wanner & Christy Hurley. This marriage gave him one more daughter, Victoria Levin. That family grew over the years to include five grandchildren, Alyssa, Ami-Lynne, Megan, Michael, Victoria's daughter Zoë and two great-grandchildren, Jax and Leighton. After 25 years of marriage, Judy lost her battle with cancer. Dick spent the last 10 years of life with his love and domestic partner, Vickie Burnham. He introduced her to a new world filled with Veterans who have a bond that is indescribable. Dick's fervent support of Hydee Hernandez, although not a veteran who had a passion for the Veteran community, was another endeavor of his. Hydee wrote a book on World War II veterans and he was so proud to call her a friend and referred to her as their "adopted daughter". Vickie, her three children, Ryan, Garin and Kaytlin, along with her four grandchildren, and Hydee will miss his smile, laughter, sense of humor, generosity and his persistence in whatever project he was involved in. Dick is also survived by his sisters, Peggy Fiderio-Thies and Carol Clark-Bentley, their immediate and extended families, his favorite uncle (mother's brother) Charles "Charlie" & Elva Millard. He will be missed by all his family, numerous cousins & families, and his many friends which include his military brothers & sisters. Richard "Dick" Clark's funeral is scheduled on October 4, 2019 at 1:00 P.M. at the Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th Street, Kent, WA. Following the funeral, his Celebration of Life will be held at The Brewmaster's Taproom, 2000 Benson Road S., Renton, WA. The Taproom is reserved for this function between 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. and open to the public after 5pm. The family knows the "send-off" for him would be to his liking & we would be honored to have you attend to share stories and memories. Memorial contributions may be made to one of the following organizations. Northwest Veterans Museum c/o Todd Crooks 22318 3rd Ave. SE Bothell, WA 98021 (Checks payable to NWVM) Support 7 P.O. Box 2604 Lynnwood, WA 98036 (Checks payable to Support 7) Paypal - bookkeepericm@gmail.com |
