Kirk Matthew Clark

1966 - 2022

Kirk Matthew Clark
August 9, 1966 - June 12, 2022
Sacramento, California - Kirk Matthew CLARK, born in Sacramento, CA, on August 9, 1966, passed away at age 55 on June 12, 2022, while serving with his Navy reserve unit in San Diego. He is survived by his sons, Jared and Jack, who he loved dearly, his fiancée, parents, three brothers and two sisters, extended family and many, many friends.
Kirk was a decorated Navy war veteran who rose from the enlisted ranks to serve as a Captain in the Navy Reserve. Kirk received a B.A. in political science from the University of California, Davis, served in Governor Pete Wilson's administration and spent the last two decades serving as Executive Vice President for the California Business Roundtable.
In 1988, four years after graduating from John F. Kennedy High School, Kirk enlisted in the Navy serving as an Aircrewman and Search and Rescue Swimmer. He made several overseas deployments including to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Storm. In 1993 he separated from the Navy but soon returned to service in the Navy Reserve and in 1998 received a direct commission appointment as an officer. He was mobilized in 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and while deployed to Baghdad served as a team leader for the Iraq Threat Finance Cell responsible for identifying and targeting funding sources of insurgents and anti-coalition forces. In recognition of his efforts while deployed, Kirk earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. At the time of his death, Kirk was a naval intelligence officer and served as the Deputy Regional Commander for Naval Information Force Reserve Region Southwest supporting the work of nearly 1,000 personnel across Hawaii, California and Nevada.
On completion of his active Navy service in 1993, Kirk served in several positions in Governor Pete Wilson's administration and as staff to the California Constitution Revision Commission. In 1996 he was selected by California Business Roundtable's founding president Bill Hauck to serve as his principal deputy. During his 25 years with the Roundtable, Kirk helped establish and served as President of the Center for Jobs and the Economy, the nonpartisan research arm of the Business Roundtable.
Kirk was a recognized leader in education. In 2002 he helped establish the Campaign for College Opportunity, a nationally recognized organization committed to improving access to higher education opportunities. He also served as Executive Director of California Business for Education Excellence (CBEE), an organization that represents the business community in efforts to close achievement gaps in public schools.
In his Navy and professional career, Kirk was far more dedicated to mentoring and supporting others than in celebrating his own accomplishments.
Kirk brought a liveliness to the Clark Clan at every family gathering, not letting anyone take themselves too seriously. If there was a silly hat to be worn at Christmas, he was often the one wearing it. If there was balled up wrapping paper at a birthday party, he was the one getting ready to throw it at someone. If a bow happened to come off that wrapping paper, chances are Kirk had it stuck to his forehead to make the little ones laugh. He took pleasure in giving gifts that were thoughtful and chosen specifically for the recipient. He was welcoming, caring and considerate to all who met him.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service for Kirk on July 12, 2022, at the Sutter Club at 1220 9th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, at 11:00 a.m. A celebration reception will follow immediately at this same location.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to: The Campaign for College Opportunity (collegecampaign.org) or the American Heart Association (heart.org.)