Raymond Joseph Clark M.D.

Raymond Joseph CLARK, MD 'Bulldog' 'The Barefooted Boy' 'Joe Prep' 89 years old, died in his sleep December 20th at his home in Bow, WA. Born in Seattle June 20th 1921 to Mary Agnes 'Nano' Sullivan and Hiram Blanchard 'Cap' Clark. Ray grew up on McGilvra Blvd taking the streetcar up to St Josephs on Capitol Hill until he moved on to Seattle Prep where he was named 'Joe Prep' in 1940. After Prep, Ray attended St Martins College in Lacey, WA. and then moved on to St Louis Medical School. Returning to Seattle, Ray set up private practice as an obstetrician and gynecologist. He was on staff at Providence Hospital from September, 1950 to October,1988 serving as Chief of Staff during 8 of those years. He was also on staff at Swedish Hospital from May 1967 to May 1988. He was an adjunct faculty member at University of Washington School of Medicine. Ray delivered approximately 5000 babies in his time of active practice. Ray met his future wife Betty Lou Schaefer of Alki while working as a lifeguard at Seward Park Beach. Ray proposed to Betty at Duwamish head and they were married December 27, 1943. They enjoyed 63 years together until Betty's death in 2006. Their first home was on the beach at Alki. They then moved to Capitol Hill finally settling in at 939 18th Ave East where Ray became a well known figure as well as the head of 'The Clark Clan'. His home was a place of welcome for all, from neighborhood kids by the dozens, Catholic priests from St Joes, Prep and Seattle University, early leaders of the NAACP, unwed mothers who needed a place to carry their child full term as well as Salome from Uganda for the three years she studied at Seattle U. In 1981 with all the kids gone Ray and Betty returned to Alki where they split their time with Johns Island until 2006 when they moved to Bow where they resided until their passing. Another significant part of Ray's life was his love of the water. From Lifeguarding at Seward Park Beach, summers in the early 50's at a cabin at Lisabeula Beach on Vashon Island, to Roche Harbor with his partner in practice Dr Larry Tarte. Roche was his summer base during the late 50's until he found an even more remote location buying a lot on Johns Island in 1960. It was here that he and Betty found their spot of heaven on earth. Ray would drop Betty and the kids off in early June and return on weekends until it was time to start school again. He gained his pilot's license and with his float plane moored at Lake Union it was just a quick flight to Johns and back for work. Ray leaves behind a huge family legacy, the children that he and Betty welcomed into this world: Susan d.1994 (Bill Bourgault), Mark (Jan d 1994) (Sherri), Nancy (Pierre Petrignani)), Sally d 2006, John (Barb), Molly (Mike Sloan), Katie (Tom Mirkovich), Pauline (Eric Powell), Steve (Susan), Patricia (Tom Ovington), Becky (Jean Michel Labalestra), Lisa (Alan Skay) and their offspring, Renee (Scott Mangold) Clark (Jackie), Pip, Amy, Andy, Nick, Tonio (Lindsey), Sebastian, Lillian (John), Hanna, Benjamin, Graham, Jacob (Leigh), Daniel, Anna, Sam, Lara, Orion (Chelsea), Amelia, Micah, Josiah, Captain, Adele, Alexa (Ben) Gabriela, Camille, Lilliana, Thomas, Wesley, Nathaniel, Emily, Issac, Josiah and their children, Christopher, Kara, Nathaniel, Nell, Urban, Brooklynne, Keifer, Schaefer d. 1996, Justin, Calvin, Jacob, Caleb, Ian, Jael, and Aydan. He is also survived by his three sisters Lee Layman and Sister Ilene Clark, SNJM, both of Seattle, and Virginia Olson of Rochester Hills, Michigan. There will be a public memorial for Ray February 26th at 1pm at Calvary Fellowship located at 23302 56th Avenue West Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043. Gifts in Rays name may be sent to http://www.fistulafoundation.org/ This is an incredible work helping women around the world but which was started by a couple whose work dad greatly admired. A memorial website has been set up by his children at http://rayclark.posterous.com/ Please visit and leave comments as you wish.