Matthew "Matt" Merrill Clark, 65, of Davis, CA, passed away on June 21, 2024 after complications from coronary bypass surgery.

Matt was born on May 5, 1959 to George Merrill Clark and Shirley Ann Clark nee Ryan, in Sacramento. Matt first lived in Rio Linda, CA and was joined there by his sisters, Julie (1960) and Melissa (1962). When Matt was eight, his family moved to Davis to a house on A Street that was on the 50-yard line of the Aggies football stadium, and the kids attended North Davis Elementary. When Matt was 11, his family moved to New Haven, CT where George completed a postdoctoral course of study at Yale. In 1972 Matt and family moved back to California. After graduating from Bella Vista High in 1977, Matt went on to study statistics at the University of California, Davis. It was at UC Davis that Matt met his future wife, Teri, on the fifth floor of Gilmore Hall. They married in 1979. Matt earned his bachelor’s degree in 1981. Matt continued to study statistics at UC Davis, earning an M.S. in 1983 and a Ph.D in 1987.

At the conclusion of Matt’s first quarter as a graduate student in 1981, Matt and Teri’s first child, Diane, was born. Ryan joined the family in 1993. Beginning when Diane was 6, Matt was an AYSO soccer coach for both of his children’s teams, and he and Teri coached Diane’s softball teams. In addition, Matt refereed many AYSO soccer games. The family went camping and to soccer and softball tournaments with Matt happily driving with his elbow out the window for the road trips.

Matt camped with family, backpacked with his dad and sister, and fly-fished. He played many games, card games, board games, and especially word games. Matt began playing in the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) as a teenager and earned his Life Master status when he was seventeen. Matt and Teri played bridge, including regional and national tournaments before the children arrived. Listening to music was a hobby that Matt developed with his parents and sisters. He enjoyed a broad range of music, including rock, pop, country, blues, and folk music. Matt took both his children to their first concerts, always buying the tee shirt. Matt also enjoyed watching professional sports–the SF Giants, the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, and the San Francisco 49ers were favorites as Matt grew up, and he followed the teams up through early June 2024. In addition, Matt really enjoyed watching indoor soccer, whether it was his children playing or the professionals, as well as tennis. Matt and Teri enjoyed traveling to see the Giants in stadiums across the country.

Matt loved teaching- it was truly his calling. As a graduate student, Matt taught statistics classes at UC Davis, and once he earned his doctorate, he taught at Cosumnes River College, Sacramento State University, and the Yuba Community College (YCC) extension in Woodland. In 1992, Matt accepted the only tenure track Math and Statistics faculty role at YCC Woodland. Both Diane and Ryan took (and aced) their first college courses from Matt as he taught Statistics many summers. Eventually, YCC Woodland became Woodland Community College (WCC). As additional faculty were hired, Matt took on leadership roles at WCC, including three terms as the WCC Academic Senate President, which reduced his teaching load.

Anyone who knew Matt knew that he was the most loving father and husband a family could ask for. He was kind and considerate and willing to assist anyone. Matt was eloquent when speaking, thoughtful about complex issues, and truly cared for people.

Matt was predeceased by both his parents and all of his grandparents. He is survived by his wife, Teri; daughter Diane (David); son Ryan (Sara), and his beloved granddaughter, Amara aka Amararama. In addition he is survived by his sisters Julie Cannedy (Randy) and Melissa Clark (Bruce Allen) as well as a plethora of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, to please consider a donation to the Woodland Community College Foundation ( http://weblink.donorperfect.c…) or the California Native Plant Society (https://www.cnps.org/give)

Please join us for Matt’s Celebration of Life at 11:30 am Monday, July 15 at Woodland Community College. Additional information may be found on the following Ever Loved webpage: https://everloved.com/life-of…

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