Maurice E. Clark
Maurice E. Clark, 86, died
Friday, May 9, 2008 in Newton
Born in McPherson, Kansas on
March 24, 1922.
His parents farmed in the New
Gottland, Kansas area and he attended grades 1-8 in the North Union Grade
School, a one room school house, later graduating from McPherson High School
and then attending McPherson College.
Maurice's education was
interrupted by the onset of World War II. He volunteered for duty with the U.S.
Army Air Corps and served from 1943 to 1945, flying the P-51 Mustang with the
31st Fighter Group over the skies of Europe. He joined the Kansas National Air
Guard, who called him back to active service in which he flew 100 combat missions
in the F-84 Thunderjet during the early days of the Korean War.
Upon his WWII discharge,
Maurice returned to marry his sweetheart, Dolores M. Denison, who had waited
for him during the war. The couple moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where Maurice
attended Kansas State University, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Maurice then went to work for
Kansas Gas and Electric (now WestStar) where he helped build and start up
electric generating stations and later managed a power division for KG and E in
Newton, Kansas. Maurice was also the quality assurance manager during
construction of the company's Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant at Burlington,
Kansas. He retired in 1984.
He was very civically active
during his life time, serving at his church , Eastside United Methodist Church,
president to the Rotary Club, board member of Methodist Youthville and Prairie
View Mental Health Center, the Gideons, and at the Troop, Council and District
levels of the Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scouts awarded him the Silver
Beaver, its highest citation for adult leadership.
Maurice's retirement was
devoted to spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He is
survived by his wife Dolores, children Michael J. Clark of Grapevine, Texas;
Bradley E. Clark of Olathe, Kansas; Jennifer G.Veer of Newton, Kansas; Spencer
L. Clark of Newton, Kansas; Shelly D. Carlson of Lindsborg, Kansas; Barry A.
Clark of Manhattan, Kansas; sixteen grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Maurice was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Nan Clark of New
Gottland, Kansas and his sister, Lucille Abel of New Gottland.
In lieu of visitation a time
for viewing will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 12, 2008 at the
Lindsborg Evangelical Covenant Church with the Funeral Service to follow at
10:30 a.m Graveside service will be at the New Gottland Lutheran Cemetery
followed immediately by a luncheon and visitation at the New Gottland Covenant
Church.
Memorial donations may sent
to the Broadway Colonial Funeral Home for the benefit of The Guideons, East
Side Methodist Church and New Gottland Covenant Church.
Friends may sign the
guestbook and view the obituary at www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.
