Dale Clark

Devoted husband, father, and pappy Dale Mason Clark, 66, of Barton, woke up in the arms of Jesus on February 14, 2020, after a brave, brief battle with stomach cancer.

Born November 2, 1953, in Barton, Dale was the youngest of Thomas J. Clark, Sr., and Verna E. (Lambert) Clark’s eleven children.

After a persistent Coca-Cola and candy bar courtship, Dale married Brenda Lee (Mongold) Clark on January 10, 1977; they were and forever will be the loves of each other’s lives. He so loved and was proud of his sons and daughters-in-law: Douglas Dale, Daniel Craig (and wife Sarah), and Brady Richard Clark (and wife Matilda). Grandson Daniel Craig, Jr., was his greatest joy. Pappy was so thrilled to meet him and so sad to leave him too soon.

Dale is also survived by siblings Victor Clark, Sr., and wife, Donna; Edwin Clark and wife, Margaret; Grant “Paul” Clark; Darlene Crawford; Elaine Bailey; sisters-in-law Janice and Brenda Clark; brother-in-law Jan Heckman; his beloved father- and mother-in-law, “Pappy” Jack and “Grandma” Zennia Mongold; brother-in-law Tim Mongold and wife, Sue; sister-in-law Linda Shreve and husband, Ken; very special little sister-in-law “Tammy-J” Barrett and husband, Greg; and countless beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He had extra-special bonds with nephews Vic Clark, Jr., and Kevin Clark; brother-in-law Bob Bailey; niece Elizabeth Barrett; and neighbors Carleton and Alleda Robertson.

Dale is preceded in death by his parents; siblings Thomas “Tim” Clark, Jr.; Richard “Dick” Clark and wife, Norma; Marie Bond and husband, Bob; Amy Heckman; Ellsworth Clark; sister-in-law Rita Clark; nephews Richard, Barry, and Scott Clark; niece Teresa Davidson; and extra-special nephew Alan Clark. A reunion featuring food, fellowship, and drag-racing is almost certainly ensuing in heaven today.

Dale graduated from Valley High School in 1971 then worked for Moran Coal Company (‘72-’75) and Westvaco Resources, Inc. (’75-’91), as dragline and Gradall operator. He next enjoyed working with many good men and women in a variety of departments at the Luke paper mill “setting standards high… an awesome example to follow, and was definitely someone easy to work with,” from 1991 until eagerly retiring in February 2018. He thought the world of co-workers Pam Swick, Mike Goldizen, Trish Whetzel, and Gina Fertig.

In his words, Dale was happiest “buying junk (cars, motorcycles, go-karts), working on junk, driving junk; but had a hard time selling junk.” He had an instinctive mechanical genius—he could fix anything, with or without the proper tools, and he always took the extra time and care to do things right.

Dale’s true legacy lies in emulating Colossians 3:12-14: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; / Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have any quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. / And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Dale offered a helping hand and comfort to anyone and everyone—relative, friend, or stranger—only because it was the right thing to do, expecting nothing in return. In that, he witnessed for Christ and prayed that all will accept Jesus as their personal Savior.

Dale was a faithful member of Mountain Lake Independent Baptist Church in Oakland and deeply respected Pastor Dennis Leatherman and wife Kathy, as well as Dale’s former pastors Clifford Dart, John Chick, Dallas Bunch, Randall Larry, and Otis Lancaster.

Dale and his family extend special thanks to CRNP Rebekah Haywood and the staff of Allegany Family Health for the exceptional care over the years; the GI and oncology teams (notably Drs. Carl Schmidt and Midhun Malla) and various nurses (especially Chloe) and assistants at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, WV, for their special care and candor; nephew Vic Clark, Jr., his wife Deanna, everyone at Cobra Mining, and cousin and lifelong friend Jim Clark and wife Cindy for generously helping Dan, Sarah, and Daniel, Jr., to be by Pappy’s side; as well as the many gracious donations of food and assistance from family and friends over the past several weeks. The outpouring of love and support is a poignant reflection of the way Dale treated others—and will forever be remembered.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, February 18, from 4-7:00 P.M. at the Boal Memorial Chapel in Barton, Maryland. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 19, at 12:00 P.M., with Rev. Walt Lancaster officiating; interment to follow at Mt. View Cemetery, Moscow Mills.

Flowers are welcome; memorial contributions may be sent to the Mountain Lake Independent Baptist Church “Building Fund,” 1005 Broadford Rd., Oakland, MD 21550.