Johnny Edward Clark

JOHNNY EDWARD CLARK, LT COL, USAF (RET)
Clark, Johnny Edward, LT COL, USAF (Ret.), Sep 2, 1923 - Jul 30, 2009, of Papillion, NE, passed away at Hospice House, Josie Harper Residence in Omaha, NE. Johnny was born in Cresco, IA, a son of John C. and Anastasia (Moudry) Clark. He married Gloria A. Walsh on Nov 5, 1946. She preceded him in death as did his parents, his brother Joseph, his sister Mariann Hidding and brother-in-law Thomas Hidding. He married Joan (Pewsey) Stickrod Sept 5, 1998. She survives. Survivors also include his daughter, Kathleen Newman (Tom) of Champaign IL and son, John Joseph Clark (Janet) of Lincoln NE. Also surviving are his brother-in-law Larry Walsh of San Diego CA, sister-in-law Martha Clark of Cresco IA, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Johnny 's life was forever changed by World War II when his farm-boy aspirations of becoming a pilot were fulfilled by entering the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet program right out of high school. He was proud to serve his country for 22 years in the Air Force, piloting over 20 types of planes from B-17s to B-47s, with over 8000 hours of flying time. During his service he enjoyed living abroad in England (during WW II), Germany (during the Berlin Airlift), and Italy. Johnny put himself though the military's "bootstrap" program, earning a BS general education & economics degree at the Univ. of Nebraska-Omaha and a Masters in economic development from the U of Oklahoma.
After his retirement from the Air Force at the ripe old age of 42, he began a 20-year career as an Industrial Developer with Northern Natural Gas Company in Omaha, from which he retired in 1985. He enjoyed reading historical nonfiction, gardening, hunting, fishing, flying, attending air shows, listening to classical and polka music, and traveling. Throughout his life he was a globetrotter, making several trips to Russia, Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and around the U.S. Johnny was proud of his Czech ancestry. He loved the sun and liked being a Winter Texan with Joan, in the Enchanted Village Ranch in Mission, Texas. In 2005 he published his biography, From Hayseed to Jet Pilot and Beyond, for which his family is forever grateful.
The family will receive friends Sunday 2-4 PM at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial Monday, 11AM, St. Gerald Catholic Church, 9602 "Q" St., Omaha with military honors by Offutt AFB Honor Guard. Memorials to St. Gerald Catholic Church or Berlin Airlift Veteran's Association c/o W. C. Southers, 1510 Shamrock Drive, Duncanville, TX 75137-4024.
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