Donald G. "Don" Clark, 73, of Mifflintown, passed away at 10:50 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, at his home surrounded by his family.
Born March 31, 1946, in Port Royal, Juniata County, he was a son of Daisy R. (Crozier) Clark, of Mifflintown and the late Gerald H. "Jerry" Clark. On October 12, 1968, he married his surviving loving wife, Brenda K. (Landis) Clark, with whom he was blessed to share more than 51 years of marriage.
In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by his three sons, Brian Clark and his wife, Susan, Michael Clark and his wife, Angela, Curt Clark and his wife, Lori, all of Mifflintown; three brothers, Dennis E. Clark and his wife, Kaye, Keith B. Clark and his wife, Kathy, Craig J. Clark and his wife, Bonnie, all of Mifflintown; and he leaves behind seven precious grandchildren that he loved very much. They are Garrett Clark and his wife, Rachael, Kiersten Clark and her fiance, Colton Laughman, Briar Clark, Emily Clark, Olivia Clark, Zeb Clark and Autumn Clark.
He was a 1964 graduate of Juniata Joint High School, Mifflintown and he had attended Penn State University.
During the Vietnam War he proudly served his country with the U.S. Army Reserves.
At one time he was employed by The Telegraph Press, Harrisburg until it closed, after which he was employed as a supervisor for Nittany Valley Offset, State College, until 2008 when he retired due to health issues.
As his health improved, he became involved with the Juniata County Agricultural Society to the extent of becoming president. He was a second-generation president of the organization, as his late father "Jerry" devoted 30 years toward the society. Don was president of the organization for 10 years.
Racing was one of the loves of his life and even as he battled his illness Don remained committed to his duties at the Juniata County facilities. Less than three weeks ago, Don was on hand to accept a $1.3 million federal grant to help improve the infrastructure of the fairgrounds.
Don so loved the people he encountered at the speedway and will long be remembered for delivering the invocation during opening ceremonies prior to each event at the track.
In 2016 he was nominated as the "Fair Person of the Year" for all his accomplishments and dedication to making the improvements.
Don loved his church. He was a Sunday school teacher for many years and served as the superintendent at the Port Royal United Methodist Church.
Being and avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and Penn State Nittany Lion fan, he also enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons, grandsons and granddaughters. He relished attending all their events and every summer the family enjoyed vacationing together. His greatest love was his family and serving his Lord.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, from the Port Royal United Methodist Church, 105 5th St., Port Royal, with Rev. Terry Brosius officiating. Interment will follow in the Adams Cemetery, Mifflintown where the Juniata County Veterans Council will accord full military burial honors.
A viewing will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, at the church.
The family will provide all funeral flowers and kindly ask that memorial donations in Mr. Clark?s memory may be made to Hospice of Central PA, Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or to the Port Royal United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 396, Port Royal, PA 17082.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 100 Bridge St., Mifflintown.
Online tributes and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 6/13/14 - Image Year: 2014
Photo of Donald that accompanied a srory in the Lewistown Sentinel about his struggle with cancer. At the time of the article (June 2014), Donald and his wife Brenda were living in Mexico (Walker Township) PA.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 12/2/14 - Image Year: 2005
Photo of Donald and Brenda (Landis) Clark that appeared in a 2005-06 Photo Directory of Port Royal Methodist Church members. (The photos were taken by Olan Mills Studios.)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/25/14 - Image Year: 2011
PORT ROYAL 200 BENEFIT SUPPER: (l-r) Esther Hockenberry, Edwina Bryner, Gerald Bryner, Donald Clark, Brenda Clark in foreground of picture taken Sep 16, 2011 in Community Building.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 7/29/17 - Image Year: 2017
Photo of Donald at the announcement of the 2017 Juniata County Fair.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/20/19 - Image Year: 2019
RECEIVES AWARD - On November 5, 2019 the Juniata Co. Fair Board presented Donald with an award for leadership and dedication to the Juniata County Agriculture Society and Fair. Shown in the photo (l-r) Clarence Allen, Donald Clark and PA State Representative John Hershey. (Photo by Michelle Holler for Juniata Sentinel)
