Walter Rhea Clark

Walter R. (Peck) Clark, 90, passed away March 16, 2011, at Crestview Retirement Community after a lengthy battle with COPD. Visitation will be held 10 a.m. Saturday March 19, 2011 at Memorial Funeral Chapel in College Station, followed by a graveside service in the College Station City Cemetery at 11 a.m.

Peck was born June 20, 1920 in Jefferson County to J.E. Clark, Sr., and Vallie Mae Clark, spending most of his youth in rural Liberty County. He attended Liberty County schools, graduating in 1936, and then entered Texas A&M. This time, Dad would often recall, was one of the greatest times of his life. Not only did he make many life-long friendships, but he witnessed every football game in the 1939 championship season. Aggie sports were one of his lifelong loves.

World War II would, however, provide the opportunity for Peck to find his greatest love. Upon graduation from A&M in 1942, he entered the US Army Transportation Corp as a first lieutenant. After spending time at the Brooklyn Naval Yard, his outfit shipped out to North Africa, where he met a young nurse, Lt. Ruth Dobson. Both participated in the invasion of Sicily as well as the Italian Campaign, and by the end of the war, their engagement was finalized; they were married December 18, 1945, and spent 62 years together.

The two left the military service and settled in Stowell, Texas. There, Peck would rice farm, serve as administrator over both the southern divisions of the Devers Canal System (which later became the Trinity River Authority) and American Rice Growers. In addition, he was an active member of the community, teaching junior high Sunday school and serving on the administrative board for many years at First United Methodist Church (Winnie), working on numerous agricultural and irrigation boards, and also serving as president of the school board of East Chambers ISD, helping to successfully integrate the schools there in 1966.

W.R. is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Dobson Clark; his parents; and his brother, JE Clark, Jr.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Nita and Mike Hoelscher; granddaughter and husband, Jennie Hoelscher and Jody Hughes of Austin; grandson and fiancé Matt Hoelscher and Brandi Price of Houston; and niece and nephew Beverly, JE III, and Allen Clark.

The family wishes to express special thanks to the staff at Crestview, whose kindness and experience truly helped dad in his last months, Dr. Wade Richardson and his staff for their constant advice and support, and Dr. Anup Amin for his expertise in dealing with the challenges of lung disease.

Memorials can be sent to The Memory Center, Arbor Oaks at Crestview, 2505 Villa Maria, Bryan, Texas 77802.