Obituary of Gerald H. Clark

Our husband, father, grandpa and friend left this world for the next much too soon. Jerry was born on April 28th, 1947 to Leo and Helen Clark in Kalispell, Montana. He passed away unexpectedly at his home in Tacoma, Washington on July 14th, 2011. Jerry was the fourth of five children born to Helen and Leo and spent most of his life in the Flathead Valley. He attended schools in Kalispell, Swan Lake and Portland, then graduated from Flathead High School in 1966 and enlisted right after graduation. He was in the Army from 1966 to 1993 and retired with over 27 years’ of service as a Sgt. 1st Class. In 1967 Jerry married Freda Behrens and had three daughters (Riki, Krissy, and Amy) from that union. The marriage ended, but Jerry remained an important part of this family. In 1976 Jerry married Colleen Murphy. Colleen brought with her to this marriage two daughters (Lisa and Keli) and rounded out his family. In 1995 Jerry and Colleen moved from Kalispell to the Tacoma area to be closer to four of their five girls. Together they developed a circle of friends and neighbors who shared their lives and were important to Jerry. After spending many years as odd man out and putting up with being the father of five “Little Grils” (not a typo) who fished in lace anklets, squealed at creepy crawlers and roller skated around the armory he finally got his just rewards in five grandsons and guys to hunt, fish and play cribbage with. Jerry was so proud of those boys and loved them with all his heart. Jerry was a man’s man throughout his life. He loved hunting and fishing, especially with his brother-in-law Paul, his nephews Doug and Dave, son-in-law Terry, and grandsons Chris and Cody, making annual pilgrimages to their hunting camp and fishing at the river. He loved John Wayne, meat and potatoes, and believed the only necessary medicine was a shot of peppermint Schnapps or Nyquil depending on the need. He loved to help others and came to the rescue of his daughters many times helping out with odd jobs when needed. You could always count on Jerry to step up and offer help should it be fixing a broken pipe or covering your back at the saloon. Jerry was a bit of a pyromaniac and loved blowing things up or at least setting them on fire. He reigned in this skill and was well known for his weekend barbeques around the fire pit in his yard. With Jerry you could always expect the offering of a cold Budweiser right after a strong handshake. After years of believing the only time taken off from work should be for hunting or fishing, Colleen convinced him to fly to Hawaii in 2010. They had such a good time they went back again in 2011. In Hawaii Jerry learned the value of sunsets on the beach and taking time just to play and see new things with his wife and friends. At the time of his death, Jerry worked as a pipefitter for Madigan Hospital on Joint Base Lewis McChord. He was preceded in death by his parents Helen and Leo Clark and his sister Delpheen Clark. He is survived by his wife Colleen at the family home in Tacoma as well as his daughters Riki Clark, Lisa Wells and husband Terry, Kristin Clark, Amy Martin and husband Jason, Keli Kefauver-Powell and husband Thomas J. Powell. His legacy lives on through his grandsons Christopher and Cody Wells, Alexander Clark, Ethan Martin, and Jacob Powell. Jerry was looking forward to the birth of his sixth grandchild in January. Jerry is also survived by his siblings Jeannie Heil and husband Paul, Joe Clark and wife Molly, and Julie Douglas and husband Steve along with many other family members and friends. Jerry was very much loved by his wife, children, family and friends. He was taken away too soon and will be missed. Jerry was always bigger than life and the one person you expected to be around forever. A Military Honor Guard Service will be held promptly at 3:00 pm on Friday July 22nd at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. A gathering will follow at their home immediately after. All are welcome to come share their memories of Jerry and celebrate his life.