This is a short story of Gene E. Clark’s life and his family.  It is a story we would like to share with you today.

It all started on September 11, 1933, in Dallas, Texas. Gene was born to Frank (Jack) Everett Clark and Alice Eileen Swann-Clark.  Gene was an only child.  Very much loved and adored by his mother and father.  He had a good childhood.

Gene, had the largest paper route in Dallas.  After wearing out his bike, he had earned enough money to purchase a Harley.  During those days he enjoyed his Harley and playing trumpet in a band. He liked to brag, that he graduated at the age of 15.  After graduating from Adamson High School in Dallas, he drove to Bethany Nazarene College.  Gene kept on traveling to Trevecca Nazarene College, and ended up in Nampa, Idaho at Northwest Nazarene College.  There he would spend two years and was drafted into the Army for two years.  Gene came back to Nampa and finish up the last two years of college. He had a special Aunt and Uncle living in Nampa, Wally and Alline Swann.

In May, 1960 he went on a blind date with the new girl in town, Lea Branum from Richland, Washington.  By the time we had spent a week together we knew we were right, it really was love at first sight.  The road from Nampa to Richland got hard to drive every weekend.  By October there was a wedding in Washington.

September 30, 1964 a baby girl, named Tiffany Diane Clark was added to our family. She was a daddy’s girl.  She loved going on hikes in the Owyhee’s with him. By 1966 a baby brother was added to our family, Blaine Alan Clark.  He was the complete package.  He was so cute, smiled all the time and started talking, as soon as he could open this mouth.  In 1969, Robyn Lea Clark was the completion of our family.   Big sister, Tiffany, thought she had a live doll to play with.  She was a great babysitter and helper. 

Gene’s family was the joy of his life.  Over the years he would go to ballgames and watch Blaine play Little League ball; in high school it was wrestling for Nampa High.  Those were exciting times for our family.  Blaine went to work at Channel 6 for a while, and then he went to work with Gene at Western Building Supply.  Blaine married Delma Lopez in 1991 and made their home in Nampa.  Gene was so proud of all the accomplishment of each child.  Tiffany went to debate summer camp in Kansas and she attended NNC for two years.  In 1987 she married Paul Kinzler and they moved to Jacksonville, Florida.   Robyn put in 18 years in piano lessons and five years of college at NNU where she earned degrees in Graphic Design and Fashion Merchandising. Robyn later returned to school and earned her Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) and Registered Medical Assistant certifications. Robyn currently manages the office at our business, Western Building Supply.

1991, started a new chapter in Gene’s life.  A couple of grandson’s four months apart.  Brayden Kinzler and Anthony Clark.  Then came a little granddaughter, Kailee Clark.  Soon to follow was another granddaughter, named Maddy Allen. One more grandson entered the picture, and his name is Richmond Kinzler.  Then came one more darling little bundle of joy, named Dayle Allen.  That completed our six precious grandchildren.  What a joy they all have been.

First and foremost, is Gene’s love for his God, and his church.  He served on the church board for many years, served as church treasurer for 47 years and served as head usher for some time; ushering for 35 years. He managed the sound system for what seemed like forever, teaching Tiffany to run sound at a young age.  This led to a fascination with the technical arts that she remains involved in to this day. 

Gene’s other true love was flying.  He began flying in 1963 and continued until 2013.  Gene worked for the city of Nampa for 37 years. He was never paid for it, and that was fine with him; he truly enjoyed his airport commission appointment.  It was his pleasure to serve.

Time with our loved ones on earth is never enough; you are always left wanting more.  We are all given the gift of life, and one of the hardest things to witness is a loved one whose gift of life is slipping away.  Gene would want to be remembered as a strong husband and father who loved his family first and a great person who had a strong relationship with his God.

Be with God and enjoy your reward with Him.

We love you and miss you.  Your loving wife and family.

Gene Clark, 84, of Nampa, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. A Memorial Service to honor and celebrate his life will be held at 1 PM on Friday, September 22, 2017 at the College Church of the Nazarene, 504 E. Dewey Ave. in Nampa with military honors by personnel from the Idaho Army National Guard. A private graveside service will precede the memorial service at the Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Caldwell. An online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Encompass Hospice.

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