Richard E. Clark

Richard E. Clark, 69, of Columbia. Mo., passed away Thursday, May 15, 2014. Richard (Richie) was born on January 16, 1945, to the late James Dodson and Margaret Elizabeth Cary Clark in Mexico, Mo. Richard (Richie) was not an ordinary man. He was a hard worker who always kept busy fixing things or caring for plants or animals. He grew up mostly in the country, even attending a one room school house for a short period of time before transferring to Mexico Public Schools. The mode of transportation was by foot. On the way to school in Mexico, he and his niece, Linda, would stop at Lee Huffman's grocery store and put snacks or candy on the family's running tab. When he was about ten years old he had his own shed for putting together bicycles from spare parts. As a young boy, Richie kept a flower garden separate from the family garden which probably spurned his love of flowers. He was always adding some new flower or plant to the yard at his home where it was his task to weed the flower beds and mow his immaculately kept lawn. Like most boys of his time he explored the country side on foot and by bicycle. On one of those journeys, he and his friend, Bobby Gentry, discovered a 1935 Ford in an old run down cluttered barn. The boys went home and attempted to get their fathers to buy the car for them as they were not even old enough to drive. Richie's brother-in-law did purchase that car and that 1935 Ford was later restored by others and remains in Mexico, Mo. When Richard was drafted in September 1965, he reported as expected. Two older brothers, Orville and Roy were already Veteran's. He received orders for Vietnam in summer of 1966, and served with the 86th Transportation Company until late July 1967, when he was Honorably Discharged as a Specialist E-4 with the U.S. Army. When he retired, he was a loader-operator and mechanic for Foster Wood Products in Auxvasse, Mo. Strong bonds were demonstrated as many co-workers visited him through his nearly twenty months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Richie had his own ways of doing things. But some would call him strong-willed and at first impression hard to get to know as Richie rarely showed his emotions. Richie was a man of few words most likely because he had self-cured his own tendency to stutter. He was more of a people observer and appeared to believe that "actions speak louder than words." Richie had a dry sense of humor that stayed with him until the end. As an example, his nephew had finished mowing the lawn recently and when Steve came in to check on him, Rich said, "Did you break it? (referring to Rich's riding mower)." Richie has been described as a good friend, great guy, self-taught, quick learner, conscientious, good-hearted, generous, dependable, honest, intelligent, organized, and full of Integrity and ingenuity. He was a lifelong learner as he adapted to technological advancements in fixing, restoring and refurbishing cars, CB's, small machines, and gadgets. Richie would go to the library for wiring diagrams and trouble-shoot electrical problems in vehicles. He took an electronic home course to learn about transistors, capacitors, etc. His CB collection consisted of old tube type radios to the microchip based CB's. Rich worked on automobiles from setting points in a distributor to using a hand-held trouble shooting computer that he taught himself to operate. He had an in-depth understanding of electronics, hydraulics, air-conditioners, and appliances, as well as home repairs. He worked with fabric, leather, wood, metal and fiberglass. When he watched TV, he chose programs that would advance his knowledge. Richie never bragged on himself and would say he did not have the diploma or certification. But, if someone who was certified could not solve the problem of fixing a vehicle, they would always ask for his help. He worked hard but he also worked smart through mental planning ahead. Rich would take on the challenge to fix cars or other projects and persisted until the item was fixed. Many times he would get off on a Friday night and then tear down a motor of his or a loved one's vehicle and put it all back together in the wee hours of the next morning. If he was not satisfied that everything was right, he would work until it was near perfect. He restored his first Corvette, a 1957 from a salvage yard and thus learned to use fiberglass. He learned to weld like his older brother Bob and he honed his skills like magic to fabricate metal, wood, plastic, and rubber into replacement parts that were or are no longer manufactured. Richie took pride in his work and respected his and others belongings. His greasy tools had to be cleaned before they were put away where they belonged. Rich took pride in his appearance but was not afraid to get dirty. Before work he would feed the squirrels in the winter with store bought shelled walnuts and almonds. He also fed the hummingbirds, cared for stray cats, and tried to protect new born baby rabbits that burrowed near the flowers. When Richie worked in a feed lot, he even helped pull calves. When Richie was not tinkering with some broken appliance, mower, car, CB or other gadget, he enjoyed time with his nephews and going metal detecting, mushroom hunting, fishing, going to stock car races, gambling at the casino or sitting on the porch watching birds or the busy neighborhood in which he lived. Up until recently, he still answered questions and imparted his extensive experience and knowledge to his friends and family to help them trouble-shoot mechanical problems. Richard is survived by lifelong best friend, Phyllis J. Hunsley of the home. Richard is also survived by his brother, Roy F. (Gwen) Clark of Mexico, Mo.; his sisters, Mary (Perk) L. Clark Gordon of Fulton, Mo.; (Dorothy) Sue Clark Stout of Gerard, Kan. and his devoted nephews, who were like sons to him, Michael Wayne Gordon of Fulton, Mo.; Roger Dale (Pat) Gordon of Fulton, Mo., Steven Ray (Denise) Gordon of Columbia, Mo.; Kevin Eugene (Christy) Gordon of Perry, Mo.; and Randall Lee Gordon of Fulton, Mo. Also survived by nieces, who were like his sisters, Linda (Larry) Jerman of Columbia, Mo.; Judy Shearon of Jacksonville, Ill.; and Connie (John) Sovinee of Swansea, Ill.; along with other numerous nieces, nephews, family, and friends. Richard was preceded in death by Kenneth Wayne Clark, Virginia Mae Shearon, Orville Eugene Clark, George Mason Clark and James Robert Clark. Visitation will be Sunday, May 18, 2014, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Arnold Funeral Home in Mexico, Mo. Services will be at Arnold Funeral Home on Monday, May 19, 2014, at 10 a.m., with burial in Elmwood Cemetery. Following services a meal will be provided at the Benton City Community Center. His favorite charity was the DAV. At Rest, Soldier. R.I.P. Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldfh.com