Leonard Everett Clark

Visitation Sunday June 24, 2012 from 12:00 - 4:00 pm at Montecito ~ Valley View Chapel, Colton, CA

Service Monday, June 25, 2012 at 10:00 am at Montecito ~ Valley View Chapel, Colton, CA

Burial to follow at Montecito Memorial Park, Colton, California

Leonard Clark came into the world two days after Christmas, back in 1927.

First born child of Everett and Lillian, who brought him home to their little house in Lake Worth, Florida.

He was soon joined by little sister Millie born July 5, 1929. Everett was a craftsman at Lantana boat yard, and Lillian was a homemaker. A few years later, Everett moved his small family back to his home state of Massachusetts to find better employment during the depression.

Leonard spent his school years in the New Bedford, Massachusetts area. Playing baseball, helping dad at the boatyards, and weekend trips in Everett's 32 foot cabin cruiser took up much of Leonard's time. He was an avid Boston Red Sox fan during the time of such greats as Dominic DiMaggio and famed slugger Ted Williams.

He entered New Bedford vocational school around 1942 to study carpentry. In 1945, he and his good friend were itching to enlist, before WWII was over. He enlisted in the Navy and went on active duty while still 17 years old in the fall of '45.

He took his basic training and completed technical schools at Great Lakes Naval Training Center. He served as a machinist mate in the engine rooms of two different aircraft carriers in the Atlantic Fleet. He finished his 3 year enlistment, and was honorably discharged in December of 1948.

His family had moved back to Florida after the war, so he joined them back in that little house on North “D” Street. His cousin David soon invited him to join the “Young Peoples” dept. at First Baptist, Lake Worth. He fit right in, especially when they found out he was a good softball player. This type of “church” environment was new to him, but had a profound influence on his life. He accepted Christ that summer of “49.

He also bought a new “49 Chevy Deluxe and was soon seen around town courting the oldest daughter of a prominent family at First Baptist. Leonard and Carolyn Barnes were engaged in 1950 and were married February 14, 1951. He also started his apprenticeship as a union carpenter during this time.

Son, Charles was born June 3rd, 1952, followed by daughter Jan on March 25th, 1955. The whole family was active in church in the 50’s and 60’s. Leonard taught Sunday School classes in the High School and Young Peoples departments continually during these years of raising his family.

Sadly, he and Carolyn parted ways in 1967, but he trusted the Lord to find his way after this set back. He soon met a single mom with a young daughter in the First Baptist Church choir. He courted and later married the former Joan Laux in May of 1969. They settled in a small house on North 20th Street in Lake Worth. Leonard helped raise stepdaughter Lorrie, and encouraged her in her schooling, and also as an outstanding high school basketball player.

More sadness in the late 70’s, as Joan was diagnosed with cancer, and went to be with the Lord in 1981. If this wasn’t enough to endure, he lost his beloved mom, Lillian, also to cancer, in 1983. He was alone again, raising a teenage daughter and more importantly; again seeking the Lord to guide him through this time of testing.

Leonard soon learned that God was about to bless him greatly, even while in the midst of very trying times. He met Nancy Haskinson at a singles dinner at First Baptist, Lake Worth. They hit it off from the start. After a brief courtship, they were married in March of 1982. They were best friends and soul mates from the start. They did everything together and were virtually inseparable. They even wore matching outfits at times! (Sad but true).

Leonard and Nancy soon joined the First Baptist of West Palm Beach choir, and stayed active for nearly 20 years. They sang in the Singing Christmas Tree performances for 12 seasons. This was a commitment that started in August with rehearsals, and ended in December with 10 to 12 performances. Leonard also continued teaching Sunday School in the Singles department.

Leonard retired from his career in carpentry in 1989. He and Nancy would visit Leonard’s dad Everett every day because of his failing health. Evert wasn’t a Christian, but Leonard and son Charley had witnessed to him at various times through the years. He was a very private man, but after much prayer, he finally confessed his acceptance of Christ prior to his passing in 1991.

In 1992 Leonard started remodeling the little house on “D” street, that Everett had built 40 years earlier. He and Nancy moved in the following year. Leonard, like his father before him, could usually be found out back in the shop; completing all types of woodworking projects.

Daughter Jan hosted a big 70th birthday party for Leonard in December of 1997, at her home in Loma Linda, California. Family discussions started around that time to move their Dad and Nancy out to California, so the family could be all together. This culminated in March of 2001, when son Charley helped them move to California. Leonard, Nancy and Charley traveled from Florida to California in a Penske moving van, and settled in Redlands to be near Jan.

Jan took them to Immanuel Baptist Church one Sunday, and they felt right at home and soon moved their membership there. Coincidentally, Jan met her husband-to-be in the Singles Dept. at Immanuel during this time. She and Dave Preece were married the following year in 2002.

Leonard and Nancy settled into their new house on Heath Street and seemed to enjoy being near family. Son, Charley, lived 2 hours away in El Cajon, and would come to visit regularly. Leonard, of course, set up a woodworking shop in the new garage, and built some projects for the new house.

They went regularly on senior trips at Immanuel, and later on joined the Senior Choir.

In December 2007, Jan hosted a big 80th birthday celebration for her dad. All the family was present for that special day, and Leonard was surprised by the appearance of his cousin Wilma, who had flown in from Houston to be with him.

A few years later, Leonard was slowed down by vision problems due to cataracts and a torn retina. At the same time, Nancy was facing increasing challenges with her memory retention. By late summer of 2011, Charley relocated to Redlands and moved in with Leonard and Nancy to assist and encourage them. The three of them had some good times singing and performing with the Senior Choir, and joining Jan and Dave for church services at Immanuel.

In March of 2012, Leonard and Nancy celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. It’s easy to see, that they are still very much in love with each other. During May of 2012, they and Charley performed several concerts with the Senior Choir at local retirement communities.

In June of 2012, Leonard started having sharp pains in his back, very suddenly. Further diagnosis by C.T. scan showed cancer in his right lung that had already spread to his bones and lymph glands. The sharp pain was a cracked rib that was weakened by the cancer.

Through many tears and prayers, Leonard and his family acknowledged that the will of God is supreme. We prayed that if it was Gods will to heal Leonard, or it was His will to take him home to be with Jesus, we accept His will, and will give him glory for His kindness and mercy toward us.

As it turned out, it was God’s will to take Leonard home to be with Him. Less than 2 weeks after this stunning diagnosis, Leonard passed to his reward. Fittingly, this occurred on Father’s Day, June 17th, 2012.

Leonard faced this last trial the same way as he had earlier in his life. His trust and faith in God led him through safely to the other side. His quiet faith, and the way he conducted his life was a powerful witness to those who knew him and came in contact with him. He will be greatly missed, but we that remain and believe in Christ are promised that someday we shall meet again when we pass to Glory.

2 Timothy 4:7,8

(7) “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (8) Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.