Wayne Fred Clark

Wayne Fred Clark, son of Fred (Ted) Clark and Myrza Maxine (Shook) Clark, was born on January 25, 1930 in Hastings, Iowa. He attended school in Hastings and Armstrong, IA, Tarkio, MO, and Castana, IA and received a GED. Following school, Wayne began working for the Texoma Natural Gas Company of Amarillo, TX. Soon thereafter, he joined the US Air Force, serving four years during the Korean War as a mechanic and earning the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Following the service, Wayne returned to Iowa where he met his future bride, Carolyn June Bergman, through a blind date. They were married on July 3, 1954 in Battle Lake, MN and made their first home in Ames, IA where Wayne was attending college. While living in Iowa, Wayne and Carolyn became parents of three children, Cynthia Rae, Ronald Lee, and Douglas Wayne.

A new career out west in California was waiting for Wayne and his family. In 1959, they moved and made their home in Buena Park for the next 30 years while Wayne prospered with many friends and with the International Union of Operating Engineers as both a Heavy Equipment Operator Member and a Business Agent. During this time, Wayne and Carolyn were blessed with three additional children, Dennis Eric, Valerie Jean, and Mark Jay. Many trips were made back home to Iowa to visit family and friends. While in California, Wayne became a member of the Bellflower Masonic Lodge No. 320.

Wayne retired in 1992 and he and Carolyn moved to Essex, IA. Wayne enjoyed so many friends and neighbors in the community, including those in the dialysis unit at Shenandoah, IA for the last six years. Wayne died at the St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha, NE on May 31, 2006 at the age of 76 years, four months, and six days.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Fred Clark and Myrza Vanderpool; brothers Earl Clark and William (Bill) Vanderpool; sisters Mary Palser, Deloris Wolfgram, LaDonna Tippery, Loretta VanHouse and Kay Jamison.

Wayne is survived by his wife of nearly 52 years, Carolyn Clark of Essex, IA; children, Cynthia Hendrickson and husband Noel of Gardnerville, NV, Ronald Clark and wife Colleen of Post Falls, ID, Douglas Clark and wife Julie of Anaheim, CA, Dennis Clark and wife Patty of Victorville, CA, Valerie “Missy” Heybruch and husband Phil of Irvine, CA, Mark Clark and wife Kelly of Chino Hills, CA; 13 grandchildren; brothers Ben Vanderpool and wife Caroline of Buffalo, MO, Dan Vanderpool and wife Jackie of Navaar, FL, Robert “Bob” Vanderpool and wife Diana of Glenwood, IA and Donald “Butch” Vanderpool and friend Marilyn of Chariton, IA; sister-in-law Gloriann Bergman of Cedar Hill, TX; brother-in-law Denny Jamison of Red Oak, IA; many other relatives and loved ones.