Mr. Charles Clark

Charles Ernest Clark, 71, Kansas City, Kansas, died on Sept. 19 at the Kansas City Veterans Administration Medical Center. He was born in January 1952, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Ernest Clark Jr. and Alma Jackson Clark. He is preceded in death by his parents and his older brother Ronald A. Clark. Charles, affectionately known as Charlie, cherished his lifelong friends and family, most notably Peggy Clark, his wife of 40 years, and their daughter, Camille Clark. Charles, a decorated combat veteran, received his early education in Kansas City, Kansas public schools before joining the U.S. Army in 1969. He received military training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri; Ft. Knox, Kentucky; Ft. Benning, Georgia; and Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. In August 1970, Charles deployed to Vietnam, where he was based in the Bin Dinh province. He served in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, a unit of paratroopers. He made 35 jumps, many of them under dangerous nighttime conditions. Charles was part of the 17th Armored Cavalry, where he was an armored reconnaissance specialist in a unit that served as scouts and rescuers of soldiers trapped in combat. As he transitioned out of Vietnam, he was stationed at Ft. Campbell in Kentucky, continuing as part of the 101st Airborne Division. For his service in the U.S. and abroad, Charles received the following honors: A National Defense Service Medal; the Combat Infantryman’s Badge; Parachutist Badge; Vietnam Service Medal with two campaign stars; a Vietnam Campaign Medal and two Overseas Service Bars. After the military, Charles attended the University of Kansas, where he majored in Philosophy. On Sept. 17, 1983, Charles and Peggy (Walton) were married. They had one daughter, Camille Clark. He went on to build a 28-year career as a benefits authorizer in the U.S. Social Security Administration. He assisted people nationwide who needed help receiving and maintaining Social Security benefits. He served as Executive Vice President for the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, Local 1336. Charles excelled in arbitration, protecting workers’ jobs. Charles loved sports throughout his life. In school, he excelled in football, baseball and wrestling. He played quarterback for the Quindaro football team from 1966 to 1969. He was a catcher on a youth baseball team sponsored by Douglass State Bank and JW Jones Memorial Chapel. During senior high school, he excelled on the wrestling team. As an adult, Charles coached the Green Machine football team for Fairfax Elementary School. Charles played trumpet and loved listening to jazz and visiting with friends. Charles is survived by his wife, Peggy; his daughter, Camille, of Falls Church, Va.; his brother, Adrian Clark (Valesta), of Denver, Colo.; his sisters-in-law, Christie Walton, of Voorhees, N.J., and Vickie Walton-James (Frank) of Vienna, Va.; along with three nephews–Adrian R. Clark and Vinson S. Clark of Denver; and Jordan James of New York City; and one niece, Rachel James of New York City. Charles leaves a host of aunts, uncles and cousins, whom he loved dearly. Funeral Service will be held Thursday, September 28, 2023, 11am at Watkins Heritage Chapel. Interment Leavenworth National Cemetery, LVNKS. Visitation will be from 10AM-11AM at the chapel. Services conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website lawrenceajones.com

Mr. Charles Clark

January 29, 1952 - September 19, 2023