Edward A. Clark, 65, of Edwards, Mo., passed away at 6:02 p.m. on November 11, 2019 at Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach, Mo. Ed was born on August 15, 1954 in Fort Riley, Kans., to Clarence A. Clark and Patricia A. Clark. Ed became an Eagle Scout and graduated from Van Horn High School in 1972. Ed spent most of his career at Armco Steel, which became GST steel, in brick refractory. After his career at GST, he became a laborer foreman at C&M Restoration, where he retired in 2011. Upon retirement, Ed and Roberta moved to the Lake of the Ozarks.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents and nephew, Kyle Kunzler.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Roberta Clark, of the home; children, Jeff and Carla Clark of Independence, Mo., Randy and Melissa Lehman of Rayville, Mo., Jon Clark of Independence, Mo., Michelle and Adam Miller of Kearney, Mo., and Courtney Clark and Kevin Dodds of Independence, Mo.,; sister Claudia Kunzler of Independence, Mo.; brothers, Larry Clark of Pueblo, Colo., and Greg Clark of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; nine grandchildren, one great-grandson, and many friends and relatives.
Ed’s greatest joy in life was his family. He took pride in raising his five children and watching his grandchildren grow. He also enjoyed the time he shared with them in hobbies such as fishing, hunting, and enjoying lake life. If the sun was shining, you could always find Ed outdoors. He spent many hours with loved ones on the lake. He and Roberta enjoyed many trips and adventures together; perhaps their biggest adventure was building their dream-house at the lake.
After retirement, Ed always kept himself busy with odd jobs around the house or by helping friends with projects. Ed lived each day as an example of how to love without reservation, to work diligently, and live a life through Christ.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Monday, November 18, 2019 at Fry-Bross and Spidle Funeral Home in Kearney, Mo., with service to follow. A graveside service will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Kearney, Mo. Please wear a baseball hat to the graveside service to honor Ed.
Our Sincere Condolences
Praying for your faith in our Holy Father to help you in the loss of your loved one. So very sorry. God bless you.
Kate and Skip Padgett
There are no words to say, that can comfort Bert and family!
What I know is we were privileged to call Ed a friend!
Blessed that he came into our lives and allowed Jim and I to be touched by his honesty, sincerity, loyalty and just all around personality! Ed was just a great guy! He will never pass this way again, but how greatful we are our paths touched!
Praying for the family…and sending our love.
Jim & Carolyn Gilby
So sorry to hear about Ed. Stay strong in this very hard time.
Mark Vonholt
So sorry for your loss. We really enjoyed being around Ed and Bert. Going to really miss him.
Jeannie and Stan
My deepest sorrow is that I will be in Florida working and cannot attend the visitation and funeral.
I met Ed at Armco later GST Steel many years ago. I worked for Otis Elevator and maintained the elevators on site. We became friends. I was surprised to see Ed and Bert at the Lake of the Ozarks where he lived nearby. Ed sang the national anthem for the racing events at Possum Holler while I was the MC. God I’m going to miss my big buddy. I’m heart broken that I will not see his smiling face again until we meet in the next life. Sending love and comfort to Bert and the family.
Terry Stepp
Very nice person our grandpa Bennie, and Ozella use to be next door to him. Always friendly and made sure people kept their trash where it belonged. He will be missed at the lake. Our son Kevin has a house close to Ed’s and he always went by and honked and waved. Always . Will miss him this spring and in the future. God be with the family. God Bless.
Robert & Carolyn Johnson
Ed was a very special kind of person. He treated everyone like they were friends. He and Bert both have very giving hearts. He will be missed by many, but down here at the lake he will be missed by a whole damn community. We pray for his family at this very difficult time. We are very blessed to have known Ed.
Steve & Kathy Hendrix
My sincere sympathy goes out to Bert & family. There will never be another man like Ed. So full of energy, love , & smiles. Bert & Ed were the perfect couple, so much in love, rarely seeing one without the other. God gained another Angel, way too soon, he has some very large plans for Ed, that’s for sure. Fly high Ed, you will be missed by many. ❤️
Patricia Green
Ed was the difference. He was the game changer. When Ed came to C&M Restoration company in 2000, the Company was young. We had a few good people, with good hearts, but we did not have anyone like Ed. Ed brought us all to a higher level. He made everyone better. He taught us all about good, hard, honest work. The positive impact that Ed made for all of us at C&M is still with us today. Thank you so much, Ed Clark!
Bill Thomas
Ed’s death reminds us: each day make sure to always be kind and express to your loved ones and friends how much you care and never take them for granted. One day they can be taken away from us so smile and give them a big hug today.
Karen Anderson
To the beloved family of my Mentor, My friend and Brother
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance
Ed Clark was my mentor and my friend whom I respected and loved very deeply. Ed took the time to raise the bar for me and my union brothers, setting goals of achievement for those men and women who fell underneath his command giving your very best without excuse. Ed was a “NO NONSENSE tough old bird!” who never held back words that were meant to make you stronger.
His orders were my directive for several years, if you fell short… his redirection was intense and rang true each and every time you were in his presence. He would build you up to be an extreme asset to the team. He was a joy, he took the time to listen and was concerned about the success of each person’s life in his presence.
I apprenticed underneath Ed Clark. Thus, turning out as a journeymen and a Union Laborer. I was broken and full of fight, ambition and arrogance . My hunger the craft and success was immense. Ed recognized my ambition early on in my apprenticeship taking on the task personally to help me become a better man and father and leader.
He taught me to lead and to stand on the principles of a man. He instilled in me to be a man of my word counting for something in life,so people could rely on me . “Do the job once so that you don’t have to return to the same job in shame.” Ed Clark helped me become a decorated Master Mason going on to command the biggest Masonic Lodge in the State of Kansas and becoming a successful business men and a leader in my Community.
ED CLARK WAS A BUILDER OF MEN!
Thank you for sharing Ed Clark with our family.
Mark and Tiffany Harper
Ed was well-loved by all who knew him. His happy personality and sense of humor was an inspiration to all who spent time around him. In this sorrowful time, we would like to extend to you our heartfelt condolences. May our Lord comfort you and your loved ones.
Danny and Vicki Morris
Ed, gonna miss you bud, after knowing you for forty and working together for twenty years plus I can say this . You never backed away from anything hard you were always there to help a friend or neighbor or whom ever needed it, you were a man of principle and your word was your bond, you were a rare and good man, plus you were a great party guy who liked a beer or two. I have to say where you are, beer might be scarce, but hang on till I get there, we’ll think of something.
God speed & God Bless
Jesse Ousley
