Maurice E. Clark

Maurice E. Clark was born in McPherson, Kansas on March 24, 1922. The eldest of seven children, “Maurie”, as he became known, grew up during the depths of the Great Depression. His parents farmed in the New Gottland, Kansas area, and the combination of lean times, hard work, and a loving, close-knit Christian family all came together to form his character. Maurie attended grades 1-8 in the North Union Grade School, a one room schoolhouse. On this experience, he commented, “I am not very smart, but I got to hear everything eight times!” Maurie later graduated from McPherson High School and then attended McPherson College.

Maurice’s education was interrupted by the onset of World War II. He volunteered for duty with the U.S. Army Air Corps and served from 1943 to 1945, flying the P-51 Mustang with the 31st Fighter Group over the skies of Europe. He joined the Kansas Air National Guard, who called him back to active service in which he flew 100 combat missions in the F-84 Thunderjet during the early days of the Korean War. During his years of service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. Maurie was a true patriot who loved his country – he was deeply moved by the sacrifices his fellow service members had made.

Upon his WWII discharge, Maurice returned to marry his sweetheart, Dolores M. Denison, who had waited for him during the war. This lifelong love affair began when the pier holding the gear of Maurie’s unit burned to the ground, leaving Maurie stranded in Washington D.C., awaiting WWII deployment overseas. Dolores was then working at the Pentagon and this time together started it all! The couple married on January 5, 1946, and moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where Maurice attended Kansas State University, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Maurie always gave well-deserved credit to Dolores for his successes, telling his children, “What do you think of the Mother I picked out for you?” and “Treat your Mother right, she is the best friend you will ever have!”

Maurice then went to work for Kansas Gas & Electric (now Westar) where he helped build and start up electric generating stations and later managed a power division for KG&E in Newton, Kansas. Maurice was also the quality assurance manager during construction of the company’s Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant at Burlington, Kansas. Many credit him with the plant’s unparalleled reliability. He retired in 1984.

Maurie’s highest calling was in the service of his Lord. He ministered to everyone he met, be it at his church, in the workplace, or wherever he might be. He wanted to pass to others, through his words and actions, Jesus’ message of salvation and mercy. This he did every day of his life.

He was also very civically active during his lifetime, serving at his church, Eastside United Methodist Church, president of the Rotary Club, board member of Methodist Youthville and Prairie View Mental Health Center, the Gideons, and at the Troop, Council and District levels of the Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scouts awarded him the Silver Beaver, its highest citation for adult leadership. His family always wondered how he had the energy to do it all.

On most Saturdays during his life, Maurie could be found in the shop on his farm, wrench in hand, working on some project. On these days there were no suits and ties. They were replaced by the familiar greasy khaki trousers and ball cap. While working, he could be heard to say, “Now we’re making progress,” or “Let’s have some fun.” Nothing pleased him more than to be invited to a son or daughter’s home to help with a project.

Above all, Maurie was a family man. He was thrilled to have a house full of grandchildren with home made ice cream on the patio. He devoted his life to teaching his children and grandchildren his values and unbending priorities: God first, then family, followed by country, next others, and lastly, one’s self. Every moment was one in which a lesson could be learned or taught to others. He was quick with a smile, laughed often, and lived for the times spent with family. He will be missed by all.

He is survived by his wife Dolores, children Michael J. Clark and wife Rachel of Grapevine, Texas; Bradley E. Clark and wife Mary of Olathe, Kansas; Jennifer G. Veer and husband Terry of Newton, Kansas; Spencer L. Clark and wife Sherry of Newton, Kansas; Shelly D. Carlson and husband Calvin of Lindsborg, Kansas; Barry A. Clark and wife Dina of Manhattan, Kansas; sixteen grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Maurice was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Nan Clark of New Gottland, Kansas and his sister, Lucille Abel of New Gottland.