Thomas Henry Clark

Tom Clark

Ephraim, Utah

Thomas Henry Clark, better known as Tom, passed away on Jan. 18, 2013, at the age of 89. Tom was born July 12, 1923 in Wrens, Georgia. to John Albert and Sara Mozelle Weeks Clark.

Tom grew up playing in the pecan orchards and the river swamps of Wrens. He learned a love of fishing in the swamps. When his father died, Tom had to leave school and he and his brother went to work to help support the family. They worked in the cotton mills, the pecan factories and what ever odd jobs they could find.

Tom joined the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) and came to Sanpete where he helped to build up the springs and flood control system in the mountains of Sanpete County. He also helped develop the roads and camp grounds in our mountains that we so enjoy now. While in Sanpete, he met his future wife, Linda Marie Siler and they were married August 23, 1943 in South Sioux City, Nebraska. She preceded him in death, May 10, 1988.

From the CCCs, Thomas enlisted in the army on Nov. 13, 1942. After his basic training in Engineering and Gunnery school, Tom departed for England and the war on Dec. 13, 1943.

During his service in the 4135th AAF Base Unit Squadron B, he served in the Normandy Campaign, in Northern France, the Rhineland Campaign and the Air Offensive in Europe. He was an engineer gunner in a B-24 bomber. In October of 1944, his plane was shot down. He was the only survivor, but was captured and spent time in a POW camp in Germany. The POW camp was liberated and Thomas returned home on June 12, 1945.

During his service, Tom received the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. He was discharged from the service on Oct. 20, 1945, with the rank of S. Sergeant.

Now that he was home, he and Linda could begin their family and their life together.

Tom was a hard worker and a good provider working in the creameries in Altamont, Beaver, Ephraim and Spanish Fork. They then took their family and returned to Georgia where he worked in a tire store as a salesman, while his kids attended school.

After a time, they returned to Ephraim. Tom worked for McCoy Larsen in the turkeys. He then started working for Ephraim City in the water department, which eventually led to his becoming supervisor over the water department.

He was always willing to help anyone in need. He would go out in the middle of the night to repair a water line or pipes or anything else that was needed so people would not be without water. He would even help pay a person’s bill so they would not have their power or water turned off.

He taught his children how to work and the value of working and helping others. He and his sons helped his father-in-law run his farm. Together, they watered fields, cut, bailed and stacked hay. They did what ever needed to be done to keep the farm running.

Tom was always generous with his time and money.

After a time of being lonely, Tom met and the spent the rest of his life with Vila Dean Jorgenson of Salina. She passed away in 2012.

He is survived by his children: Thomas L. "Tom" (Patricia) Clark, Manti; Robert "Bob" Clark, Ephraim’ Dennis (Diana) Clark, Riverton; Randy (Natalie) Clark, Eagle Mountain; adopted daughter, Cherry; as well as 19 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters: Katie Rabun, Agusta, GA; and Martha Clark, Wrens, GA.

He is preceded in death by his wife Linda; good friend Vila Dean; parents; daughters: Gloria and Cindy; granddaughter, Michele and her husband Bret and son Dustin; brothers: John "Ed" and Bill; and sisters: Ruth, Frances, and Agnes.

Graveside services with military rites will be held Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in the Ephraim Park Cemetery. Friends may call prior to the services from 12 Noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Ephraim 2 ^nd Ward Chapel, 450 North 200 West. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salinas and Manti.