J. "Blue Eyes" E. Clark

When someone talks of a “life-long” resident of Odessa, they could well be referring to Blue Clark. He was referred to as the barefoot wonder boy. Blue was born August 20, 1925, in Bristow, OK, to Wayne and Susie Clark.

After graduating from Odessa High School in 1943, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. He worked for Phillips Petroleum as supervisor of the purchasing department. He retired in 1985, after 37 years.

Blue met his wife, Chris at a fat stock show in Odessa when she was performing in the musical that she was producing. They married in 1948, and their 62nd wedding anniversary would have been October 2nd.

Blue’s involvement with various community organizations, Broncho Booster Club, Odessa Boys Club and the Odessa Chamber of Commerce Sports Committee, has spanned forty plus years.

However, his biggest enjoyment had been the West Texas Relays. Blue first served as a timer in 1948. Over the next 50 years, Blue’s recollections include seeing the conversion from dirt to cinder tracks, witnessing the university and collegiate division that used to compete in the relays and being a part of the growth of the West Texas Relays that started on Graham and 10th Streets, moved to Broncho Stadium and was eventually located at its present location, Ratliff Stadium.

He has watched world class athletes over the years. This list would include Joe Childress, Randy Matson, Ted Nelson, Bob Hayes, and Bobby Morrow.

He also served as a referee for many of the small towns in the Permian Basin on Friday and Saturday nights. He also coached the Boy’s Club football.

To know Blue was an experience in and of itself. To work with him was a distinct honor and pleasure.

At a time when truth and straightforwardness were not commonly found character attributes, Blue was truly refreshing. His efforts to improve the West Texas Relays and his contributions to its success were greatly appreciated by all. The athletics and athletes of ECISD had been positively influenced by his involvement. In a larger sense, Odessa was a better place for having Blue Clark as a resident.

Blue adored his grandchildren and rarely missed any sports or other events that they were involved in. He loved having them around anytime.

Back before Alzheimer’s took his memory away, he enjoyed bird watching, reading Louis L’Amour novels, the Andy Griffith show, and he loved going to watch the Broncho's play football. He also enjoyed visiting and having coffee with his friends at this warehouse where he worked at part-time after retiring from Phillips.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Susie Clark and his brother, A.B. Clark.

Survivors include his wife, Chris Clark, daughter, Bonnie Sorenson and husband, Tom; grandchildren, Tiffany Horton, Ben Sorenson and Brittney Sorenson; and one great-grandchild, Caiden Noah Horton; brother, Don Clark of Odessa; sisters, Merle Massar and Betty Sue Winters of Houston, Anna Morris of Pflugerville, Daisy Van Zandt of Levelland, and Mary Lou Vickers of Odessa; sister-in-law, Dorthy Schlemeyer and husband, Carl of Odessa, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 21, 2010, at Hubbard-Kelly Chapel, with Leland Maples officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Donations may be made in Blue’s memory to the West Texas Relays.

Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home of Odessa.