Thomas E. Clark

A no frills sort of guy, Thomas Clark filled his days with the people, experiences, and things he loved most. He was never one to worry about what others thought, and he wasnt afraid to do things his own way. A man of honor and integrity, Tom served his country and took great pride in working to uphold the freedoms we still enjoy today. A hardworking man, he was a believer in doing what needed to be done to make his own way, and with his easy going personality there wasnt much that could get him going. Tom faced challenges along the way, but he took whatever came his way head on with both strength and courage that were hard to miss. His friends and family will forever hold the positive memories they created with Tom near and dear to their hearts. During the first half of the 1940s the eyes of our nation were focused overseas as countless young servicemen and women were serving during the days of WWII. Those who remained stateside became all too familiar with rationing on common goods while manufacturing was focused on supporting the war effort and victory gardens were planted to lessen the demand on the food supply. With the end of the war in 1945, families were reunited and the baby boom was underway. It was while America was transitioning to being a nation at peace once again that Emery and Evelyn (Grossman) Clark were eagerly awaiting the birth of their baby as summer drew to a close in the town of Muskegon, Michigan, in 1948. The big day finally arrived when the baby boy they named Thomas Emery drew his first breath on September 4th. He was the oldest of three boys in his family and was raised alongside his brothers, Gary and Joel. When he was a bit older, Toms family built a new home in Hesperia. In many ways Tom was a young man of his generation. His father worked for Teledyne Continental Motors while his mother was a busy homemaker. Tom was a student at Hesperia Schools including Hesperia High School. As he got he got a bit older he got into cars, and he liked them clean and he liked them fast, too. Tom went on to graduate from high school in 1965. As a young man Tom met and later married Mary Jane Kroppel, and they settled in Hesperia. Together they were blessed with the birth of their son, Troy. Although their marriage later ended in divorce Tom was so proud of the son they shared. Throughout his life Tom was accompanied by a strong work ethic. He joined the Marine Corps and served for a time, and once he was discharged he moved to Hawaii where he worked as a security guard. After awhile Tom moved back to Muskegon and began working as an over the road trucker. Soon after, he moved to Texas, and for the rest of his life he spoke with his unique Texas drawl. Tom spent much of his career working for Miller Brewing. In his time off he enjoyed collecting Native American crafts, watching television, and creating things as a wood carver. Although he wasnt with his family on a regular basis, Toms loved ones were near and dear to his heart. He was saddened with the death of his father in 1967, the death of his brother, Joel, after being involved in a car accident in 1973, and again with the death of his brother, Gary, in 2013. There was much to celebrate in Toms life, too, when it came to his family. In the early seventies his mother married Jack Burrell, and in 1988 his family grew to include his grandson, Randy, and in 1990 his granddaughter, Tonya, was born. In 2000, Tom was diagnosed with severe diabetes, which left him unable to drive a truck and needing to retire. He spent the remainder of his days living in Muskegon once again where he enjoyed the companionship of his cat. As his diabetes became more severe, he underwent several surgeries, and Tom needed to have his leg amputated in 2013. Often wearing his signature cowboy boots and cowboy hat, Thomas Clark took everything in stride throughout the peaks and valleys of his lifes journey. He was content in whatever life brought and took nothing for granted. Tom will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Thomas Emery Clark, of Muskegon, died on Wednesday, February 11, 2015. Toms family includes his mother, Evelyn (Jack) Burrell of Hesperia; son, Emery Troy (Barbara) Clark of St. Helen MI; grandchildren, Tonya great grandson, Michael; several nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his father and brothers, Joel & Gary. A memorial gathering will be held on Monday, February 16, 2015, 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorials can be made to Marine Corps League. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book. Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon