Arthur B. Clark

This is the life story of Arthur Barton Clark. He was born in Joplin Missouri on June 10, 1941 to Corinne and Roland Clark. His family consisting of another brother, Allen Sears, and his two sisters, Clara and Dorothy, moved to the Kansas City area where he graduated from Raytown High School.

After attending the University of Missouri in Kansas City majoring in Liberal Arts, he served in the Navy on active duty for four years, receiving the Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged after his obligated term of service. Years later, Arthur then went to reserve duty where he became a “weekend warrior” in the Navy Seabees and retired twenty years later.

Arthur did many different jobs before retiring after 27 years with the Social Security Administration in the Federal Building located in downtown Kansas City as a claims authorizer. He worked as a surveyor for the State Highway Department, a warehouse worker for Wagner Electric Company, Leeds Chevrolet Company and was employed by Stow Hardware and Supply for ten years.

During this time, he was married to Arlene and fathered two sons, Michael and Matthew, along with a daughter, Wendy. After thirty years of marriage they divorced and he resided in Raytown Missouri until his death.

Arthur participated in many activities including being a member of Norfleet Baptist Church for 44 years. He was involved with the NBC’s deaf ministry and was a member of the deaf bowling team which they won several trophies for the church. He also played right field for the NBC softball team. He was a Christian and a firm believer in God Our Father and Jesus Christ Our Lord.

When he was young, Arthur earned his Eagle Scout award from the Boy Scouts of America, he was also a member of the tribe of Mic-O-Say and the Order of the Arrow. Eventually, he became a quartermaster, an assistant scoutmaster, a scoutmaster and lastly became part of the troop committee. The organization honored him by giving out the Silver Acorn Award in 1996 for his dedication and fundraising services to the troop. He once collected nearly $4000 worth of aluminum cans to help send the boys to camp.

Personally, Arthur was an extraordinarily intelligent man and had a great sense of humor. He had a staggering intellect and so articulate with his words that he could compose letters to judges and attorneys making them think he was a Law School graduate. He could complete an extremely difficult crossword or cryptogram puzzles within minutes. He had the patience to build and paint numerous models which resulted in him winning several awards for his craftsmanship. Lego sets and jig-saw puzzles occupied his time but he was never too busy to help keep his neighborhood clear after storm debris would clutter the streets. Old tractors and cars were his passion and he attended many events where they were shown. When he was younger, he was on a pit crew for a sports car race at Daytona Florida. He also attended many other racing and motorsports events.

Arthur B. Clark died on October 11, 2018 at the age of 77. God had an opening for him that only His child could fulfill and therefore He called him home. Arthur will be missed by many of those we see and some who we don’t. After all Arthur Clark was a friend, a consultant, a soldier, a scout, a tribesman, a brother, and a father. May he rest in peace until we all are reunited once again.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Arthur’s name to the Boy Scouts of America. www.scouting.org.