Memories of Edward "Buddy" Allen Clark | Ever Loved

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In memory of

Edward "Buddy" Allen Clark

Oceanside, CA, USA

July 26, 1947 - January 16, 2021

Jul 26, 1947 - Jan 16, 2021

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Jill Seibert

Kim, I have had you in my thoughts and prayers daily. Ed was so kind to me right from the start. His infectious smile, jokes, laugh and general presence will be greatly missed. I’m so grateful I had the privilege to know him. I pray you fine some comfort in the memories. Jill Seibert🙏🏻❤️

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Kim Clark

The Fufas

The Fufas

One of my favorite memories with Papa is watching movies and playing games with him. I love you and miss you so much. Love, Joshua Fufa

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In response to "What did Edward love to do?"

4

Kim Clark

Lisa Coulter

The Fufas

Bob Toohey

Every once in a while, we are fortunate to be graced with the friendship and influence of a large soul –a soul that implants something special in your life that cannot be taken away.

These humans—often average in appearance, yet extraordinary in their effects— seem to energize and elevate any gathering to another level. Simply by showing up and being who they are, they can raise your mood, your energy, and your perspective—lifting you up to see from a different place. Such a soul was Ed Clark.

I was attending my weekly Thursday night Home Group meeting for men in recovery from addictions. This hour and a half had become the highlight of my week— a time to connect with my fellow travelers in recovery. It was a time to bask in the joy and gratitude from being released from the shackles of addiction.

As I leaned back in my metal folding chair in the Church meeting room, smiling at the normal pre-meeting banter, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see Ed, a tall, bronzed, handsome man with a contrasting head of white bushy hair and white mustache. He had a wide grin that displayed his sparkling white teeth. From this day forward I would rarely see him without this beaming smile.

“Hi, Bob—I think I need a sponsor!” he said as he smiled.

While Ed looked like he was doing fine, I would soon find out that yes, like most of us in this room, he needed some help. I said I would be glad to help.

From that moment, we became fast friends. For that matter, I was just one of many who were close friends of Ed’s—because that is what Ed did. That was his specialty. That is one reason we called him “Special Ed”. We learned from Ed that this moniker came from his wife Kim. She surely had her own reasons for naming Ed “Special”, but for us in my Home Group, it was his warmth, enthusiasm, and gregarious personality that made him special. He made Everyone around him comfortable and at ease.

And that is the number one need of newcomers in recovery. We come in lonely, alone, and dejected. We desperately need to know we are in the right place. It is men like Ed who assured these newcomers that this is the place for them. I watched Ed many times go up to newcomers— men who would rather look at their shoes than in your eyes— put his big arms around them and say “Welcome. You are in the right place!”

Ed worked hard on his recovery. He did not shirk or avoid the process, even those difficult parts. On the way, Ed encountered a vital and authentic spiritual experience. He had known about God, but now it was a close and personal relationship, one that would over the next few years transform him from the inside out. He never looked back.

I watched Ed grow in his love for his God, and saw it impact his wife Kim and his family. I listened to him as he shared with me the profound spiritual experiences he had— stories that sent shivers down my back. Ed was not simply having occasional spiritual experiences. This was as real and authentic for Ed as it gets. He was living inside a spiritual experience.

The gift of Ed’s personality brought men together who would normally not hang out. He organized weekly poker games. He and Kim hosted the annual “Ugly Christmas Sweater” party. Ed brought out his bongo drums to our annual men’s retreat and turned a normal little sing-along into a real hootenanny!

To most people, these are normal things—but to men in early recovery, this gift of including others and drawing them together is often lifesaving. No one keeps records, but I am sure Ed has saved lives by being who he is.

When Ed told me several years ago that he and Kim were moving South to be closer to family, my heart broke. It was bitter sweet—Ed had come full circle and wanted to spend the remainder of his days giving back to his family.

But we in Federal Way deeply miss our large, booming voiced friend. He was a beacon to us, and his departure then left a large whole.
I know I have become a better husband, father, and friend because of my friendship with Ed. And so have many men I know. For that reason, Ed will live on and on as we each try to live with the warmth and joy that Ed did.

Good bye, Ed—you are truly special.

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The Fufas

James More

Kim Clark

Comments:

James More

Thx Bob! I especially remember his big beaming smile at Seeking Serenity near Mt. Rainer where we got to ... Read more Thx Bob! I especially remember his big beaming smile at Seeking Serenity near Mt. Rainer where we got to spend the whole weekend... Read more Thx Bob! I especially remember his big beaming smile... Read more

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Nancy Syverson

Ed was such a fun, caring and persistent person. He had many wonderful qualities. My fondest memory was the 1st night that he met Kim.
Kim and I had gone out dancing it was New Year's Eve . She met Ed that night and from that moment on it was a magical fairy tale. The following New Year's Eve we all had gone out dancing again and that is when Ed proposed to Kim in front of a very large crowd . I was very happy to be part of all this . Ed, you will be missed by many. God Bless you, Kim and family.

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The Fufas

Kim Clark

Lindy Key

Hannah Fufa

One of my favorite memories with Papa was playing ping pong with him. We would play when we visited everyone down in Cali and when he would come up to see us. It was so fun and definitely one of my favorite things to do with him... even though he won literally everytime. He could beat me playing one handed and with his eyes shut, darnet! I love and miss Papa so much <3

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Hannah Fufa

Gracie Fufa

The Fufas

Kim Clark

Lisa Coulter

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Madison Carlile

One of my favorite memories of Papa was when we were on a cruise and he gave me $5 to try the money claw machine. It took 5 tries and we won a $100 bucks. Papa and I were so excited! He had to pretend he was the one playing because you were supposed to be 18 when the guy came over to check on the commotion. It was so fun. I'm really going to miss him! <3

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Gracie Fufa

The Fufas

Kim Clark

Lisa Coulter

Kelly Carlile

3

Kim Clark

The Fufas

Kelly Carlile

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Kim Clark

The Fufas

Marcy Bernier

Dear Kim,
Richard and I are deeply sorry for your loss.
Ed was a great guy and a good man also.
We will miss him.
Marcy & Richard Bernier

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Kim Clark

The Fufas

Marcy Bernier

Ed was one of the most fun loving people I have had the pleasure of knowing. His million dollar smile, quick wit, and great sense of humor livened every gathering .
I am so grateful to have known him.

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Kim Clark

The Fufas

Gracie Fufa

My favorite memory with Papa was going to Lake Chelan. I loved getting to spend a lot of time with him. He taught us how to fish, even though we never caught one after hours, we still had so much fun. He also went paddle boarding with me, my siblings, and my cousins. I have a lot of amazing memories with my Papa and I sure do miss him but he will forever be loved! ❤️🌊🏝

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Kim Clark

The Fufas

Lisa Coulter

Caleb Carlile

A good memory was being on the cruise with Papa and spending a lot of time with him. I enjoyed when we danced by our table and how we got to be together with him. My Papa was a great man he was kind and funny.

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Gracie Fufa

Kim Clark

The Fufas

Lisa Coulter

Parker Carlile

My favorite memory of Papa is when we went to his house to watch football. He would always scream "Take his head off". I think that made the Seahawks win. I would love the stories he would tell during commercial breaks. He was so excited about football and made watching it so much more fun. I am sure going to miss him.

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Gracie Fufa

Kim Clark

The Fufas

Lisa Coulter

Patrick Godfrey

"Special Ed" was indeed special and inspired many men in Federal Way, Washington. He will be sorely missed by many of us. Our condolences to his family. Pat and Margery Godfrey. Federal Way, WA.

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Kim Clark

The Fufas

John Carlile

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Kim Clark

The Fufas

John Carlile

Checking to see who was taller

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Lisa Coulter

Kim Clark

The Fufas

John Carlile

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Kim Clark

The Fufas

Bob Toohey

Ed embodied compassion for others and the joy of living. He brought friends together. I will never forget the " Ugly Christmas Sweater" parties. Kim and Ed celebrated their life together every day.

Kim, Susan and I are praying for Gods comfort and Peace to fill your heart.

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Kim Clark

The Fufas

Elaine Carlson

We met Ed and Kim when they moved into the condo above us. Ed was so friendly and we knew right away we would be friends. He and Ken helped each other out, fixing things in our houses. But we will always remember the fun times we had playing games. It didn’t matter who won, we just enjoyed playing and being together. We will miss him terribly.

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In response to "What always reminds you of Edward?"

3

Kim Clark

The Fufas

Jessica Easler

We are so sorry for your loss. I will always remember our shared appreciation for Dansko shoes. He is greatly missed. Thinking of you all during this difficult time. Sending our love and condolences.

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Kim Clark

The Fufas

Stan Bucher

I met Ed in 3rd grade(1955) and we have been best buddies ever since. We shared so many good times together. We went to dances together and he always outdanced me. We went to Wildwood together and sowed lots of wild oats. He was my best man and the Godfather of my son. I was so sad when he moved to Seattle, so far away. Nancy, my wife, and I were lucky enough to meet the love of Ed’s life...Kim. Kim made Ed so incredibly happy. Kim and Family we offer you our deepest condolences. We wish we had taken that cruise we always talked about. You are all in our prayers and thoughts.

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Kim Clark

The Fufas

Kelly Carlile

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1

The Fufas

Kim Clark

Comments:

Kelly Carlile

Goofball Goofball Goofball

Kelly Carlile

5

The Fufas

Lisa Coulter

Kim Clark

Kelly Carlile

4

Kim Clark

The Fufas

Lindy Key

Shared a heart

2

Kim Clark

Lisa Coulter

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Created with love by Kelly Carlile (Edward's daughter).

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