Gary Clark
November 8, 1954 ~ October 17, 2021
PLEASE Note: Gary's date of death has been changed so that his record can be more easily viewed.
Gary Clark, 66, of Mount Vernon, passed away Thursday, December 17, 2020, at home. A Graveside Service with Military Honors 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 30, 2021, Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon, is caring for Gary and his family.
Survivors include his siblings, Myrt (William) Bowers, Richard, Keith, Doug (Theresa), Marcia (Danny) Kimm, Steve (Mary), Donna (Gary) Ulch, Kenny (Jody), Donita VanHamme, Merle (Sheryl), and Denise (Warren) Havill; many nieces and nephews; and longtime friend, Bill Niederhauser.
Gary Loren Clark was born November 8, 1954, in Cedar Rapids, to Jacob and Marcella (Brannaman) Clark. Gary lived an exciting and adventurous life full of fun and amazing experiences. He traveled and roamed all over the world, including to New Zealand to perfect his deep-sea diving skills, rode horseback from Washington to Alaska to guide white water rafters, and work on fishing boats, and was stationed in Germany during his service in the Army. Gary enjoyed reading'especially history, watching documentaries, any trivia particularly Jeopardy, and was known to partake in Risk parties in costume. He cherished his time growing up in rural Mount Vernon with a large family'there are so many stories to share including damming a creek to swim with his brothers, sisters, and other local kids which unfortunately was kabashed because the downstream cattle apparently needed water to drink. Fond memories of sledding all day and night and always having fun with his family will be cherished by Gary's family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Dennis; and sister, Debra.
Memorials may be directed to Southeast Linn Community Center.
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I was very saddened to learn of Gary’s passing. We were very good friends all through high school and we sure had a lot of laughs. I haven’t seen him for years but he has popped into my head many times over the years. I still remember the night we said our good byes before he left for basic training. Dave Behrens
Gary was a friend and high school classmate. We were in sports together. He always had a smile. After high school we seemed to bump into each other, occasionally. He could talk. His time out in Oregon was, I think, a time he wished he’d never have left. His family worked hard to help him. My thoughts and prayers are with them all. Bill Thomsen
Many good memories of hanging around Gary in Cedar Falls, Mount Vernon, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City. He was a free spirit, a great story teller, and really didn’t care about material items or success. He was a lot of fun to be around and a breath of fresh air. Rest In Peace Gary. Denny Kurt
Very sorry for your loss. Gary was truly one in a million. He got more out of life than most of us ever will. May he rest in peace. Kelly Collins
To the Clark family, I’m so very sorry for your loss. I’m also sorry I never knew Gary, but he must have been quite a guy, had to be if he was a Clark. You have such a wonderful family. With my sympathy, Annamae Baker
So sad to hear Gary has passed. He was a good friend in school, and I always had a soft spot for Gary.
I am honored to have called you my friend. There are so many memories. Thanks for them all. You added so much to life. RIP
My sympathy to Gary’s family. I am very saddened to learn of his passing. I have fun memories of working with Gary at Canton Studio years ago. Rest In Peace. Mary Ellison Colee
Gary was one of a kind. A great guy who would do anything for you. I was blessed to have had him for a friend and roommate. We had some really great times back in the day that I will always remember and cherish. Rip my friend!!!
I became friends with Gary back in the early seventies. We had some memorable times back then including a wild trip to Minnesota. Gary always had a smile on his face and a great sense of humor to go with it. He was one of those people you meet and remember forever. I had not seen Gary since the mid eighties but I thought of him often. My life is enriched because Gary was my friend. May the Good Lord always keep Gary in the palm of His hand.
Gary and I knew one another all our lives, from school bus days to last year when I would run into him sauntering about Gary’s Foods. When I was stationed in Idaho in the mid-70’s he “dropped in” on his way back from Oregon and stayed with us for 6 weeks, I think. He terrorized the ladies and bars around the GI town, then was on his way. Years later, when he moved back to Mt. Vernon, he helped me frame my house, a task he was particularly good at. When I still imbibed, I would run into him at the bars on Main Street, and when it was clear we both had enough, I would invite him to sleep on our couch, a 2 or 3 block walk to my house. He was long of hair, and bushy of beard, and I remember one morning one of my teenage kids awoke to find Gary asleep on the couch downstairs, and exclaimed” Mom, Jesus Christ is sleeping on our couch!” Not quite. Gary was a trip, imperfect , flawed as he well knew himself, but he loved every minute from what I could tell. Godspeed Gary
I met Gary while serving in the army. We were in Baumholder Germany. We had some great times, with a guy named Kevin Siebel from Tipton Iowa. I stay with Gary and his family for a while after I was discharged. I ended up staying in Mt. Vernon for 7 years. We roomates off and for several years.I had a lot fun with Gary, Jay Gunn(also deceased),Kevin, Doug Thumm a guy called Woody and a few others. We were all young and crazy back then. I left Mt. Vernon for a warmer climate but had always hoped to make it back to Mt. Vernon. Life just got in the way I guess, wife , kids, career. Gary I always thought me you and Kevin would reconnect later in life. I am sorry I learned of your passing so late. I sent a text to Nannette Gunn asking about you and she told you had died. Rest in peace my friend. I’ll be with you soon enough.
We had a lot of fun together Gary. Rest in peace buddy.