Edward Duane Clark

 

We announce in grief and commemoration that Edward D. Clark, age 65, passed away at his home on September 12, 2023, in St. John, KS.

He was born on March 22, 1958, in Colorado Springs, CO, the son of Wayne and Shirley Ann (Jackson) Clark, but Ed would tell you first and foremost that he was a dedicated father, and that his family meant the world to him. He is survived by his cherished companion in life, Anna Clark, whom he married on September 22, 1988 and spent 35 loving years with. 

He was a beloved friend, mentor, and spiritual guide for his 4 children who treasured and knew him on a deeply spiritual level. This includes his first daughter, Kathleen Clark, his first and second son, Nathan Clark and his significant other, Nathaniel Price, his second daughter, Khloe Clark, and his late-in-life miracle named Kaisa, whom he adored and lovingly coddled every day. He poured the entirety of his being into raising and loving this precious child, and we continue to raise and love her in the way he would. 

As a father, he instilled a deep trust and unconditional support in his children. He knew the importance of being the father he never had, and led our family with humility, love, and respect. We grew up knowing our intrinsic value and worth as human beings, and he worked tirelessly to guide us around society's shallow whims. 

Ed was a warrior and won many battles in his earthly journey. He overcame alcohol addiction, and then bravely went back into the trenches to pull out other poor souls who fought the same. As an addiction’s counselor, he touched hundreds of lives and brightened the futures of so many, young and old. 

He fought courageously for an education and received his Bachelor's degree in Human services. He then went on to earn a Masters degree in the same field, and continued on with only a dissertation left between him and a PhD at Capella University. 

Ed then went on to fight COPD in his later life and had stopped smoking for 9 months before his passing. It seemed he truly did the impossible at times! He left his family inspired and in awe of his warrior spirit, and fought until the very end in his daughter's arms. 

He is survived by 4 brothers and two sisters; Richard Duane Clark and his partner Shuan Wang, Daniel Clark, Jeff Clark and his wife Stephanie Clark, Joel Clark, Norma Hooton and her husband Richard Hooton, and Sandy Clark. He is also survived by his beloved nieces and nephews; Adam Hooton, Jordy Clark, Rheanon Clark, Jayden Clark, Sean Clark, and Justin and Elias Claussen.

He is preceded in death by his cherished mother and grandmother, Shirley Ann Clark and Osa Mae Jackson, along with his sister-in-law Maxine Clark, and nephews Caeleb Devante Clark and Eric Effenbeck.

A visitation will be on Thursday, September 21, 2023 from 1-7PM at the funeral home. We will celebrate this beautiful man’s life on September 22, 10:30AM at Minnis Chapel, St. John with Pastor Damon Bradley presiding.  The burial will follow at the Larned KS Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association or the American Lung Association in care of Minnis Chapel, P.O. Box 34, St. John, KS  67576.