K Clark

Our dear, incredibly talented father gracefully passed away on Friday, March 27, 2015, at Poplar Grove Assisted Living -- just three weeks after his 95th birthday.

Dad was born March 4, 1920, the only son of Saul H. and Sarah B. Clark, in Oakley, Idaho. Dad was raised and educated in Oakley, Idaho. He lived and worked for most of his youth at the Lann Ranch in Oakley.

Music and humor were an integral part of his life. As a very young child, he frequently sang at local events with his mother, Sarah, serving as his accompanist. He learned to play the saxophone, trombone, guitar and organ. But his beautiful tenor voice was his finest instrument and his quick sense of humor perhaps his most lovable attribute.

Dad briefly attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where, according to his father, "the only thing he learned was how to make a fairly decent bow tie."

He and our mother, Marian B. Hunter, were married at the Lann Ranch on Oct. 17, 1940. She passed away on June 26, 2010, just a few months short of their 70th wedding anniversary.

After our parents' marriage, Dad worked at the Lann Ranch in Oakley and briefly as a long haul truck driver until 1945, when he became general manager for the first radio station in Burley, KBOI (later called KBAR), and his radio career began. His beautiful speaking voice served him well.

As general manager for 18 years, Dad was a popular radio announcer and served as emcee for many local events, including the Cassia County Rodeo, where he demonstrated his quick, original wit and clever sense of humor. His father, Saul Clark, was Cassia County sheriff for six terms and was responsible for establishing the Cassia County Mounted Sheriff's Posse, the first organized riding group in the state.

During those years, our parents started their family of four children--two daughters, Kathleen and Shannon, and two sons, Kelly and Reilly. His musical talent played an important role in the Clark family's life. Dad was a vocalist and instrumentalist for several local dance bands.

His talent and love of music were passed on to his children. All four of them were blessed with musical ability -- both vocal and instrumental. The duo of Kathleen and Shannon were in demand as vocal performers during their high school years. They played bass ukulele and guitar, respectively. Kelly is a skilled musician and instrument repair craftsman and Reilly is an accomplished musician and artist.

In 1960, our parents purchased KART Radio in Jerome, Idaho. He and our mother were a frequent item at the local high school basketball and football games. Dad did the play-by-play broadcast, and Mom was statistician.

After our parents sold the radio station to the Lee family, he worked for a short time for Prescott-Craig Insurance. Then in 1969, Mom, Reilly, and he moved to Glenns Ferry, where Dad was hired to manage the Jensen Insurance Agency, soon renamed the Jensen-Clark Agency.

In 1973, our parents purchased the agency, which then became K Clark Agency. In 1995 after 25 years' service to the community, they retired after selling the agency to their long-time and beloved employees, Jonelle Penner and Dustin Fink.

He and our mother then spent several years traveling and attending artist workshops, where he supported our mother's talent as an artist and enjoyed meeting other like-minded people.

Dad is survived by Kelly and Jerilyn Blum Clark, the mountains above Boise; Reilly Clark, Hagerman; and Michael and Shannon McBride Blomgren, also of Hagerman, as well as four grandchildren and their spouses, Jim and (Shannon Leigh) Welter, Birch Bay, Wash.; (Ryan) and Reven McBride, Ogden, Utah; Kimberly Cromwell, Boise; and Mike and (Delaney) McBride Combe, also of Ogden.

His legacy of musical talent and gentle humor, as well as our mother's artistic talent, continues to live in his 10 great-grandchildren: Braden, Colton, Dennis, Emma, Jessica, Kelan, Kyle, Kade, Ivy and Sarah, all of whom are either talented musicians or exceptional artists or both. Dad is also survived by his beloved brother-in-law, Hal Seeds, Longview, Wash.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marian; his daughter, Kathleen Clark Pack; his son-in-law, Dennis McBride; and his sisters, Ray Clark Cranney and Marilyn Clark Seeds.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Glenns Ferry Historical Museum.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at Glenn Rest Cemetery in Glenns Ferry. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service -- Gooding Chapel.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary link at www.demarayfuneralservice.com.