Richard Ray Clark Sr., 79, of Marion, passed away Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019 in a deer blind located near Thompsonville.
He was born on July 5, 1940 in Jewett, Ohio to John L. Clark and Della Saffell Clark.
Richard married the love of his life, Nancy Feher on Sept. 12, 1959 in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio. She preceded him in death on March 7, 2018.
Richard proudly served two years in the United States Navy.
Another of his loves was the mining industry. Starting with various mines in Ohio, Richard then moved to Illinois, where he was a general manager for Freeman Coal Company for four years. He then moved to Amax Coal Co. and became Vice President for Midwest Mining Operations
Only one year after joining the underground mining division. Richard started his second career as an entrepreneur, opening his first pawnshop in West Frankfort. He went on to open two more shops in the area. His passion was serving his patrons and he continued this up to early this year when he closed the Christopher location.
This began his retirement in earnest at the age of 78. Richard enjoyed learning and received his Masters in Business Management from Wesleyan University in Indianapolis.
He continued to be an avid reader throughout his life. He knew how to work and also how to play. He was an avid golfer, enjoyed his family, boating, fishing, camping, hunting, gardening and serving his fellow man as a Masonic member of Smithfield Lodge 182 F & AM.
Richard was also a Shriner and Boy Scout leader. His other memberships included the American Turkey Federation, the NRA and National Pawn Brokers Association. If there was a Miners game in town, you knew where you would find Richard and Nancy as they were season ticketholders from the very beginning.
He is survived by his four children, Richard (Lisa) Clark Jr. of Velpen, Indiana, Frank Clark (fiancé, Ashley Renee) of Mexico Beach, Florida, David (Lashay) Clark of Orient, Jennifer Clark of Trafalgar, Indiana; nine grandchildren; one great-granddaughter and several nieces and nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; wife Nancy Clark; brother, John H. Clark and sisters, Eileen Henry and Neosha Shelton.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, at the funeral home.
Funeral services for Richard Ray Clark will begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019, at Crain Funeral Home Egyptian Chapel in Energy. Entombment will follow at Egyptian Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, monetary donations be made to St. Jude's or Riley's Children's Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family visit www.crainsonline.com.
