Kay Eppler Clarke departed her family quietly on Saturday June 13, 2020 at New Hope Manor in Cedar Park, Texas.
Kay Francis was born the last of 3 children to Clifton and Marjorie Eppler, on December 5, 1935 in Andrews, Texas. She spent much of her youth combing the desert landscape for arrowheads and artifacts of interest, a love that remained with her throughout her life journey.
Kay met James Wylie Clarke, Jr in El Paso and married November 27, 1951; they celebrated 69 years of marriage. Over the first 10 years, their family grew by 6 children; Rebecca (Smith), Linda (Mischou), James W Clarke III, Elaine (Williams), Veronica (Telthorster) and Eric Clarke. Kay chaperoned her children’s school trips to historical locations, an early sign of bigger things to come. In addition to raising her family, she worked as a bookkeeper until the siren song of history drew her back to study her childhood passion. She earned a bachelor’s degree in archaeology from the University of Texas and shared this passion with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, leading her group of junior students most summers for Texas archaeological society’s field school events until as recently as 2012. She spent many weekends on archaeological digs throughout the southwestern United States.
Kay was an active volunteer serving on the Texas Historical Commission and the Lion’s Club. She presented a talk on the history of the west Texas war efforts at Austin’s 60th year WWII commemorative event in 2004. Kay also loved to travel and visited historical sites in Mexico, Belize, the US, the UK and Europe with family over the years.
In addition to archaeology and history, Kay loved the ocean and learned to scuba dive in California with her nephew, John Craigie.
It is safe to say that of all Kay’s interests and achievements, she was most proud of her 6 children, her 15 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. The grandchildren have nothing but praise and fond memories of summer times with Grandma Kay. Camp fires, visiting state parks, feeding deer and raccoons at their rural home in Liberty Hill are remembered fondly by all of her grand-kids. Kay hosted many Easter events with feasting, Easter egg hunts, and good wishes and love that big families with lots of young cousins squealing and playing would understand and reminisce over.
Kay was preceded home by her parents, her brother Charles, her sister Evelyn, her granddaughter Alison Telthorster, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
“Those we love never truly leave us. There are things that even death cannot touch.”
Jack Thorne
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