John Everson Clark

A priest, a rabbi and a minister walk into a funeral parlor and ask for a stiff one... Thus would have begun a deadpan joke that John "Jack" Clark might have told if he'd lived another day. Every situation reminded him of a joke and he was a rare man who knew how to tell one with perfect timing and never forgot a punch line. His brilliant mind sharp until the very end, Jack told his final joke just two days before he breathed his last on March 4, 2024 in Roseville, CA.

John Everson Clark was born May 21, 1934 to Everson John Clark and Lulu Mae Thompson Clark in Rome, New York. He was the youngest of five children, Richard Clark, Norma (Clarence) Parry, Doris (George) Smith, and Lois (William) Salisbury. He is survived by Doris and Lois and four of his five children, Judith (Rick) Dalton, David (Debra) Clark, Lori (Jana) Pruski-Clark, Michael (Madeline) Clark and his stepdaughter Donalyn (Kevin) Pryor. He was predeceased by his youngest daughter Barbara Clark Dingfelder in 2018. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, two chubby chihuahuas and every greeting card ever sent to him.

Jack spent his entire happy childhood in the same home in which he was born on Calvert St. and attended Rome NY schools. His higher education continued after he served four years in the Navy from 1955-1959. Grueling night classes in Syracuse, NY earned him a Masters Degree in physics and engineering. His rocketing career brought him and his young family to San Diego in 1963 and an ill-fated love affair with that city's football team, the Chargers. Jack was privileged to be a civil defense engineer and to work under the Reagan administration on a high-security-clearance communication system, although his kids were never allowed to play with his Super Spy Decoder.

After the death of his second wife and retirement from civil service near the turn of the twentieth century John relocated to Roseville. He travelled extensively with the twilight love of his life whom he also married, Donna Colbert. After Donna's sudden passing he volunteered in a nearby fourth grade classroom for many years. He loved tutoring kids; a reliably repeat audience that appreciated his corny jokes.

Jack's final words were, "I'd like six of the Chargers to be my pall bearers so they can let me down one last time." To the end, he had the perfect one liner for the occasion. His wit and presence will be sorely missed.

Private arrangements and services through Neptune Society. The family would like to thank Greenvalley Hospice for their excellent care and requests donations be made to Make a Wish Foundation in lieu of flowers https://wish.org/canv