Richard LeRoy Clark

Richard LeRoy Clark (80) of Fruita, Colorado passed away on March 10, 2022, after a long battle with kidney disease. 
Clark was born on July 17, 1941, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to Della and Verle Clark. He grew up in Arvada, Colorado with his two older sisters Dixie Jean and Darlene. He enjoyed spending the summers with extended family in Burlington, Colorado on the family farms. 

He graduated from West High School in Denver. He earned a BS in Metallurgy from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. He was a metallurgic engineer for Pratt and Whitney in Connecticut, and Dow Chemical at Rocky Flats in Colorado. He had a great personality as a salesman and sold heavy equipment, welding supplies, and premium steaks. His last job before officially retiring was co-managing (with his wife Martha) Mesa View Retirement in Grand Junction. He enjoyed being “captain of the ship.”

He met the love of his life Martha in Denver in 1960. He gave her a picture of himself with scripture that read, “Thy people shall be my people. Thy God shall be my God.” He became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They married for time and all eternity in the Manti, Utah temple. He was devoted to her his entire life. 

He was fiercely protective and proud of his four children. Each one felt like they were his favorite child. 

Clark served faithfully in his Church in various capacities. His favorite callings were serving with the youth. Clark loved motorcycles, fixing things, spending time with his family, and in his last years tinkering with a large collection of electric bikes.

He always had a song in his heart and would sing short phrases from a variety of 70s pop songs for any occasion. 

He is survived by his wife Martha Bates Clark, his sister Darlene Geist, half-siblings Hank Simmons and Mary Dietrick. His children Lori (Russell) Wynne, Doug (Brandie) Clark, Carrie (Sean) Cronin, and Annie (Robert) Payne. He was so proud of his 12 grandchildren and a blossoming number of great-grandchildren. Eight with one on the way.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life on Thursday, March 24th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Redlands Chapel 2235 Kingston Road Grand Junction, Colorado. Visitation with the family will be at 10 a.m. The memorial service will begin in the chapel at 11 a.m.

 

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