Raymond (Ray) Lee Clark, age 71, passed away Friday, May 4, 2012 at Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson. He was born April 3, 1941 in Turlock, CA to the late Edmund and Matilda Clark. Ray was a disabled veteran of the United States Army, where he served a tour in Europe. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Turlock, where he attended Modesto Junior College to learn the heating and air conditioning trade. He married Patricia Henson on November 27, 1965, and they were married for 25 years. He worked for Thorsen's Heating and Air until he retired at age 37. Growing bored with retirement, Ray went into business for himself, opening Clark's Heating and Air Conditioning from which he retired at the age of 65 (or as he was known to say...."not retired, just tired!") Anyone who knew Ray knew that even in his retirement, he never stopped working. He responded to calls for help from many in the area. "If Ray couldn't fix it, it couldn't be fixed".
Ray was a true patriot. He devoted many hours and many sheets of paper to working figures trying to solve the national debt problem and trying to perfect perpetual motion. He was a member of the Turlock V.F.W. and the NRA. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing with his dear friend Ronnie Henson. A kind and generous man, Ray was a father/grandfather figure to many. Ray spent most of his later years traveling with his beloved friends Robert "Hoppy" Hopgood and Margaret Vieira.
Raymond is survived by his son Michael (Tracey) Clark of Hughson, daughter Nicole Clark of Turlock, two grandchildren Jillian and Lucas Clark, and his sister Rosemarie (Byron) Walser of Modesto.
Visitation was held from 10am - 7pm on Friday, May 11, 2012 at Allen Mortuary, 247 N. Broadway in Turlock.
A graveside service was held at 10am on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Hilmar Cemetery.
Remembrances in Ray's honor may be made to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (http://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org) or to the Alexander Cohen Hospice House (http://www.hospiceheart.org).
Please Share your memories and condolence at www.allenmortuary.com
Turlock Journal,
Wednesday, May 15, 2012
