Raymond R. Clark

Raymond Clark, age 73, passed away August 21, 2025, at his home in Union, IA.

Raymond Robert Clark was born August 17, 1952, in Eldora, IA to parents Raymond and Ruth (Burns) Clark. Ray was an only child and was raised by his mother after the passing of his father, who died when Ray was just one year old. Ray graduated from Eldora High School in 1970. He attended college at Iowa State University for a short time, later choosing to leave college behind to enter the workforce, and to also spend time exploring his love for music.

Ray was united in marriage to the love of his life, Judy Ann Shaffar, on September 25, 1982. The two went on to have two daughters, Jenny and Jordan. The family moved away from Iowa for a few years, then returned to Iowa and settled down in the town of Union, where they raised their girls.

Ray worked as a machinist for Dayco Corporation in Eldora, Iowa; Appleton Electric in Columbus, Nebraska; and most recently US Manufacturing in New Providence, Iowa until his retirement. After his retirement, he worked at Mara Transport in Bangor, Iowa in dispatch for two years.

Ray was an amazing musician and was most passionate about playing the keyboards. He traveled with a 9-piece show band called “The Flippers” and also filled in as a keyboardist as needed for other local bands. Music was his passion, and he always made room in his home for his own studio, which was filled with multiple keyboards, synthesizers, speakers, and other equipment. His family has many fond memories of hearing Ray play his keyboards, including his wife’s favorite song “Greensleeves.” He loved when his daughters would ask him to play songs and could play a song without sheet music after only hearing it a couple of times.

Ray was an avid reader, with multiple bookshelves full of novels. He frequently read 4-5 books per week and read anything from mysteries and horror novels to books on mathematics and engineering. He shared that love of reading with his daughters, who are now passing that same love on to their own children.

Ray also loved computers, tinkering with things around the house, and just spending time at home with his wife Judy.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 42 years, Judy; daughter Jenny and son-in-law Joel Goodman of Liscomb, their children Logan (11) and Mila (9); daughter Jordan and son-in-law Phillip Rubenbauer, and their children Tucker (10) and Hudson (7) of LeGrand.

He is preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Ruth Clark, and his parents-in-law Richard and Phyllis Shaffar.

“Sorry, Dad…we touched the thermostat.” - Jenny and Jordan

-Lovingly written by his family

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home of Marshalltown. Raymond will be laid to rest at the Union Cemetery in Union, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the family for a later designation. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.