Gene Val Clark

Gene Val Clark, age 97 passed away on Sunday, September 22, 2024. Gene (or Genius as he liked to call himself) was born on June 21, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Leo D and Addie Fern Timothy Clark. Gene’s brothers, Dahl and David, and his sisters, Merlyn and Donna preceded him in death. He has one living brother, Kenneth Clark.

Gene graduated from Jordan High School, then joined the Navy. He was proud to serve on the USS Nevada, bringing troops home from Pearl Harbor. He worked at the Hotel Utah, Hygeia Ice Company, and the railroad. Dad married Lorene Whittle on September 7, 1948. He then got a job at HAFB, and Gene & Lorene moved to Layton, Utah to raise their family. Their children are: Pat Presnell (David), Sharlene Valerio (Ruben, deceased, Rich Ray), Cindy Baldwin (Dwight), Janice Harvey (Brent), Geri Alberts (Gary), and Val Clark (Sheri). He has 25 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, and 7 (+1 coming) great great grandchildren.

Gene became a great machinist at HAFB, and he retired in 1985. Gene and Lorene later divorced, and he married Judy Hazelton. They were happy together for 36 years. Judy’s health declined in 2019 and she moved into assisted living, passing away in January, 2023. Dad spent the last 4 years of Judy’s life going numerous times each week to visit her, usually taking a diet coke or a milkshake to feed her. He missed having Judy at home with him.

Dad didn’t require much in the worldly sense, and lived a simple life. In his younger years, he enjoyed going deer hunting with his Dad and brothers, snowmobiling, and going to the movies. Dad was a great handyman. He could do plumbing, fix cars, appliances, pretty much anything. He loved his big yard, and planted lots of trees, bushes and flowers, fruit trees, raspberry bushes, and large gardens. He made the yard of our family home a fun place to play and make memories. He loved to watch the birds, deer, raccoons and foxes in his yard and fed them regularly. Dad loved going to breakfast at Granny Annies and The Star, where the waitresses spoiled him. They always had his coffee ready and knew exactly what he wanted to order. Dad had a quick wit, and loved to tell jokes (sometimes inappropriate) and stories. Even in his 90’s, he could recite poems and rhymes that he learned in school. Dad always insisted on walking up his driveway and waving to us as we drove away. His favorite thing to tell us when we left was “Watch out for those bastards that are out to kill ya.” Yowza, Yowza, Dad! We love you forever…

A Celebration of Gene’s Life for family and close friends will be held on Saturday, September 28, 3:00-5:00 p.m. at his home 414 E. 2625 N., Layton, Utah.