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Obituaries

Obituary for John Burton Clark John Burton Clark
Michigan Native Was Weekly Publisher's Father

John Burton Clark, 84, of Kent, Washington, formerly of Battle Creek, Michigan, died Wednesday, May 10, 2006.

Mr. Clark was born on October 6, 1921 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the son of Mary and Percy Clark.

In addition to his father and mother, he was also predeceased by a sister, Elizabeth Clark, also of Battle Creek.

He married Marion Elizabeth Caillet on June 17, 1939 in Indiana and lived in Battle Creek for more than 83 years.

Mr. Clark grew up in Battle Creek, served two years in the United States Army from 1944 to 1946 and ended his military stint as a Lieutenant.

He worked as a food manager for the S.S. Kresge Company (the forerunner of Kmart) in the late 1940s before becoming a partner in a carpet store in his hometown. He built Clark's Decorative Specialties (along with his son, John Allen Clark, and wife, Marion Clark) into the Battle Creek's finest carpet and drapery operation over a period of three decades, then sold the company and retired.

His carpet operation represented the Alexander Smith line of quality carpets and later, the quality Lees brand, manufactured in Glasgow, Virginia.

Mr. Clark enjoyed the game of golf and became the president of Riverside Country Club. He loved attending Rotary functions, was a member of the Elks Club and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Perhaps more than anything, he enjoyed his camps and the outdoors in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where he owned several parcels of land.

He is survived by his wife, Marion Elizabeth Clark of Kent, Washington; two sons and daughters-in-law: John Allan Clark and Carolyn Clark of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and Jerry Ernest Clark and Judith Anne Moffitt Clark of Clifton Forge; a daughter and son-in-law, Judith Ann Hanford and husband Denton of Kent, Washington; a sister-in-law, Cecelia Bissell of Kent, Washington; 9 grandchildren: Graham P. Clark of Arlington, VA; Chris B. Clark and wife, Erin of Clifton Forge, VA; Suzanne F. Clark of Ithaca, NY; Kelly Whitt and husband, Rick of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Jenny Burgess and husband, Rick of Overland Park, Kansas; Natalie Ames and husband, Brian of St. Louis, MO; Saralyn Henderson and husband, Jamey of Covington, WA; Benjamin Clark of Santa Monica, California; and James Clark and wife, Gina of Palm Beach Gardens, FL.; 8 great grandchildren: Denny and Erin Donahou, Doug and Becky Ames, Jordan and Matthew Burgess, and Taylor and Ashley Whitt; and soon-to-come Annie Laurie Clark of Clifton Forge. A private memorial service will be held at the Kent Covenant Church at 9:30 a.m. with pastor Keith Carpenter officiating, followed by a service at 11 a.m. at the Tahoma National Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the Kent Covenant Church, 12010 SE 240th, Kent, Washington 98031.