I am a better man knowing John Clark and his Whole family 🥰

I hadn’t met John  before this incident, but I knew Judy through a quilting group. When the “Barn Quilts of Greene County” started, John and Judy both jumped in to get those done. He built the big wooden quilt blocks, and several of us helped paint. We had finished painting late one hot, muggy afternoon & planned to finish the next morning. At 8 am the next day, John was sitting by the block with a sheepish smile. “You gals can have a break. Guess I shoulda moved it into the barn.” The quilt block was covered with heavy dew, & colors all smeared into each other. Lots of men would’ve been mad or defeated, but he and Judy finished many more of those huge blocks that are now all over the county. My favorite was the one on their barn.

Jack never met a person that he didn't like.  And more impressively, never met a person who didn't feel like he was part of the family or group (in a bar, restaurant,  or ball game) within 10 minutes of meeting him.  He left a lifetime of impressions on everyone he met.   I have friends that have met him that still ask about him when I see them.  And in some cases this is 20 years later! 

Jack to me is about a feeling. True that stories abound and pictures galore. When I think of Jack a warm almost giddy feeling comes over me. Like a small child on Christmas Eve. It will be difficult not to expect his presence at every family gathering. The loud “Hey hey hey” echoing in all our ears. I believe if we all remember the feeling of Jack he will be right there with us. 

Love ya kid,

Michelle Clark

I met John for the first time at a Cubs game in Phoenix (spring training). He was there with Vernice Gilley and members of the Clark family. I am forever grateful for his hospitality and kindness to me at the game and on every occasion since that time. He always had the best smile, joyful way of speaking and look at life in all of its many oddities and lived his life out loud. Rest in peace my friend you did it your way! 

Sharing a, single, story about Jack is much harder than it should be, because there are so many stories and memories that lift me up. At the root of it, all of revolve around Jack doing his utmost to make me and others happy. I would say he was selfless to a fault, but I think in a good way, he was selfish because his high always came with others being happy in the moment.

My first memories of him, when I was a toddler, through my last time with him as he was battling cancer and in great pain and discomfort, were the same—He was most interested in bringing others happiness. I think often he did this at his own expense of sleep or health, because he cared so deeply for all of us.

He was also a great friend to the underdog, to the runt in the litter, cheering for the losing little league team, the smallest kid at bat, or the person in the conversation with the lightest voice. He would also take in everyone’s new significant other, and treat them as his own family, and adopt them into his ways and his life. He’d welcome boyfriends and girlfriends, husbands and wives (and exhusbands and exwives), and friend’s of friends of friends. He would pull them into his gravity and sometimes make them feel more part of the family than their own partner did. He wanted to make sure they felt welcome, felt like they could always come over and stay. There was always music and food, but more importantly he built an environment where everyone felt they had come home.

I remember staying at his house for a weekend in Iowa City. We had all had a long day on the lake and were sound asleep. One of his nephew’s and their spouse came to his house late at night after some partying in college town. Rather than Jack ushering them to a bed to get some sleep, he turned on the lights, turned on the music, made drinks for everyone, and entertained them (although not to the pleasure of others in the house sleeping). He made sure that his new guests felt welcome, received, and were important in his eyes and their happiness and joy was everything to him. That memory can be repeated with nearly every instance of time I have spent with him.

He was a mentor growing up and as an adult. I regularly think back to comments and ideas he shared realizing how thoughtful and insightful he was, particularly around how people think and what makes them tick.

It is hard to capture Jack in a statement, or a photo, or even a memory. What is easier, is just simply remembering his energy and intent and ability to bring joy to others.  

I don't believe in condolences.  I believe in taking joy and love from the memories that John has given to me across our 81 year relation.  More than any other person, he has been friend, companion, teacher, big brother and a forever source of ideas, brilliance, humor, love, and fascination.  

From the beginning he has been my hero, my go-to-guy, my only person I have ever envied.  I refuse to "miss" him.  Instead, every day, I think of what he gave me for so many years.

Love you,

Bro 

John was always gracious enough to invite me into your camper to watch the IA HAWKEYE basketball games when we were in Sunflower resort in Surprise ,AZ. 

Ode To Old Man Clark - 70th Birthday Celebration