Larry Verner Clark

Larry Verner Clark was the first child born to Harold & Lila Clark on November 21, 1940. He lived with his family in Laguna Beach, California from his birth in 1940 to 1954 when his family (his parents and 3 siblings) moved to Garden Grove, California. Larry's fondest memories are of his childhood in Laguna Beach, blocks away from beach access, spending most of every summer on its beautiful shores.
After moving to a brand-new housing tract in Garden Grove (which his father had bought as a salesman for the development), Larry and his brother Ron began high school at Garden Grove High School; when a closer high school was built, the brothers attended and graduated from Rancho Alamitos High in 1958 and 1959 respectively.
The brothers were teenagers when their younger sisters were growing up in Garden Grove and always babysat them, giving them the best fun ever – playing the boogie man was a favorite; riding on their shoulders was a treat. As big brothers, Larry and Ron teased their young siblings a lot! But they also took good care of them in the middle of all the older-brother tormenting.
After high school, Larry entered the US Navy and served his country for four years from 1960-1964, stationed at the San Diego Naval Base.
Upon finishing his military service, Larry continued to live in Garden Grove, eventually working several years as a manager of a local liquor store, where he met his wife, Sharon Berekoff, who worked at a store near his – lucky him! Sharon was a beautiful girl, and Larry was blessed that she said yes!
After marrying Sharon in the early 1970s, Larry bought a new home on the outskirts of Garden Grove, and then on to Corona, California. In Corona, Larry and Sharon welcomed their beautiful baby daughter, Michelle Lynn, on March 8, 1975. During their years in Corona, both Larry and Sharon began their careers in Real Estate and raised Michelle in a house right behind her Grandpa & Grandma Clark, which was a wonderful experience for their young child.
Michelle's fondest memories of these years growing up in Corona was the family tradition of spending summer vacations at Mission Beach in San Diego. As you might expect, Larry passed on his love for the beach life to his daughter in a meaningful way during these yearly trips. Michelle was his whole world, and they loved doing things together. Other fond memories that Michelle has is participating in Karate with Larry. They both loved to practice and prepare before the tournaments and spar against each other. He was very proud of his accomplishment on earning his black belt.
In the early 1990s, Larry moved to Arizona to work as a sales rep for his sister Suzanne and brother-in-law Patrick's business, Midway Industries, which they had just moved to a new facility in Prescott Valley (when it became impossible to do business in California).
Larry loved living in Arizona and eventually his daughter, Michelle, moved to this area as well. Her time with him in his final years was a great source of joy in Larry's life.
During his first years in Arizona, Larry became an avid motorcycle rider, as well as a collector of beautiful memorabilia. He also had many wonderful memories of family gatherings with his sister Suzanne and her family, and remembered the Christmases they shared very fondly.
To know Larry, you had to know that he loved his dogs – Niko was his last, and he loved him very much. He was also very close with his neighbors, Ginger & Mike, who often welcomed him for holiday and family dinners, and treated him as family for many years.
Throughout his life, Larry always sought to be attentive to his grandchildren and his many nieces, and nephews – who felt his love for them and appreciated him for his yearly calls on their birthdays and time spent at his home. Larry took special care of his Aunt Midge prior to her death and his love was felt very deeply by her – and also by his sisters and brother through his calls and his honest and open discussions on any topic.
During Covid and soon after, Larry began succumbing to high blood pressure, heart issues and ultimately kidney disease. In May 2025, Larry took a fall, breaking his hip and causing him to spend several weeks in a rehab facility.
Very sadly, his health took a turn when on June 12th he started having a high fever and developed pneumonia. He was taken to ICU at Prescott Valley Medical Center and then was transferred to the sister hospital for more intense care on Saturday, June 14. The doctors tried valiantly to improve his worsening condition with some moderate success. That day, Michelle stayed with her dad the entire day until 10:30 pm, leaving only for a few short hours because his situation really seemed improved.
Before she left, she was able to hear Larry's last words and wishes. Larry told Michelle he was tired – he did not really want to go through these intense procedures anymore. He passed away the next morning at about 3:40 am on Fathers' Day, June 15, 2025, just minutes before his daughter could come to say a final goodbye.
Larry Verner Clark is survived by:
- his daughter, Michelle Clark Houde and her husband Lance, with his grandchildren, Martin, Taylor and Kenzie;
- his younger brother, Ronald Clark with his wife Susan and nieces Dianne and her children, & Shelley, with her husband and child;
- his sister Suzanne Clark Wilson, her husband Patrick and his niece Kimberly and nephew Bryan with their spouses and children;
- and his sister Linda Clark Hanson, her husband Jack and his nieces and nephews – Anna, John, Rebecca & Sarah with their spouses and children.