Donald Albert Clark

Donald Albert Clark passed away May 27, 2023, in Chubbuck, ID. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Ida Rhea (Krohn) Clark, who passed away January 23, 2021. He is survived by their four children which include: son David P. Clark of Washington IL (Roshell Clark), son Eric A. Clark of East Peoria, IL, son Glenn E. Clark of Pocatello, ID (Diana Clark), and daughter Marta J. (Clark) Cappa of Lake Tapps, WA (Jim Cappa). He was proud of his 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Don was born in Morris County, KS, and had 5 siblings, two of which pre-deceased him: his younger sister Juanita, who died in childhood and his older brother and best-friend, Richard Gale Clark, who passed in 2002. He is survived by his sisters Doris (Clark) Runyon of East Peoria, IL, and twin sisters Karen (Clark) Little of East Peoria, IL and Carol (Clark) Williams of Washington, IL.

Don’s father was a tenant farmer and moved the family periodically for work. Don grew up in various places in Kansas and Missouri. Many of his fondest childhood memories were of his time in Cottonwood Falls, KS. Don graduated from Ava High School in Missouri in 1951. After high school, the family moved to East Peoria, IL, which is when Don enlisted in the Air Force. It was in 1954, when home on leave, that he met Ida, whom he met through his sister, Doris, at a Youth for Christ gathering. They married later that year.

After the Air Force, Don worked for Sealtest Dairy as a milkman, delivering milk every day. His friendly personality led him to Fuller Brush sales, traveling farm-to-farm, getting to know people and selling goods. After their 4th child was born, he started working for Caterpillar in East Peoria, IL. Don worked in the tool crib until his retirement. During his time at Cat, he also worked part-time as a janitor at the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Washington. After retirement from Cat, he began a second career as a maintenance man at Washington Community High School. He enjoyed the work and the people and worked there for many years.

Don and Ida lived most of their lives in Washington, IL where they raised their family. They were members of Grace Bible Church and maintained their Christian friendships with fellow members even after they moved to Idaho. Don and Ida moved to Pocatello, ID in 2018 where they lived with Glenn and Diana for a year before moving together to Quail Ridge Assisted Living. They benefited from the care and love of Glenn and Diana who lived nearby as well as the attentive care of the staff at Quail Ridge.

Throughout his life, Don was often doing yard work and projects around the house on Maple Lane. His favorite hobby was building and flying model airplanes. Don always had a nice word to say to everyone. If anyone needed help, he was never too busy. He was well-known and well-loved at Quail Ridge Assisted Living for always lending a helping hand to everyone.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on July 22, 2023, at Grace Bible Church in Washington, IL.

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