After a courageous 47 days in the ICU battling acute pancreatitis, Rex Clark said, “Let’s call it a day!”
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Geneva Clark, and his brother, Ricky Clark.
His wife Janet, his true love of 36 years, survives Rex. One of 8 siblings, he also leaves brothers Jim (Phyllis), Larry (Cindy), Bill (Reatha), David; and sisters Marilyn Exum, Linda (Donnie) Bogan. He was loved by numerous relatives and a world full of friends. Although he had no children of his own, he was a father figure to many. He and Janet had 82 nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews to spoil and send home.
After retiring from a successful 32-year career as a property appraiser with MODOT, Rex enjoyed life to the fullest.
As a proud member of Springfield’s Royal Tin Car Club, Rex assisted in painstakingly restoring and customizing many classic cars, including the infamous 1941 purple Packard Limo, his precious 1951 Cadillac, and the newest treasure loved by kids and adults alike – the Batmobile. He and Janet took their cars on road trips across the country, frequently showcasing them at car shows. Rex treasured his car club family. His weeks were formed around lunches with the Car Guy’s Adult Day Care and hanging out fixing cars with his friends.
Rex also traveled the world with his beloved wife, visiting Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Italy, Prague, Spain, Amsterdam, Ireland, China, Hungary, Turkey, Greece and the Greek Isles. They also made many special trips to Colorado to see their good buddies, Denise and Ron, and their boys.
Known for his entertainment and hospitality, Rex and Janet often hosted large parties and gatherings. He was well known for his cooking- everyone lucky enough to be invited for dinner knew his culinary genius and hoped to be invited back. Rex risked a riot with every pot of chili.
Those who met him will never forget his big laugh. Those who never met him missed out. His friends and family knew a great man that never ran out of hilarious jokes, and a prankster that created his own legends. He was a soul with so much generosity and such a big heart, it literally made him the epitome of Santa Claus.
Visitation will be held at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home Tuesday, January 21, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 am, followed by graveside services at Greenlawn North. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Grandpa Rex
I never really got to say the proper good bye or even really a good bye. His soul may have left this earth but he will always be in my heart and on my mind. He was funny, loved to joke and was an amazing cook. Grandpa Rex I will miss you. His soul may have left this earth but he will always be in my heart and on my mind. He was funny, loved to joke and was an amazing cook. You will live on for generations to come because I will tell my kids and they will tell there's kid about how funny you are and how you are an amazing cook. Where do I start? There are so many funny stories & memories tell about Grandpa Rex. One of his favorite holiday was Christmas because that’s when the family would get to gather and he could cook up some of his chilly and make some of his famous cheese dip and we would have a good old time laughing and telling stories. He also has a love for cars. Here is as story that happened the morning of his birthday 2014 and one week after he died I had a dream that I went to his house with my family. He opened the door and greeted us with some jokes and let us in and had made us this whole meal. Then he sat down at the table with us too eat and once he was finished he diapered. It was as if he was not ready to go until he inter tainted us one last time.
Bob and I will always remember the trip to the Frog Follies car show in Evansville, Indiana. Rex led the way with Janet as his co-pilot. It was a long trip. We traveled many lonely roads without seeing any other cars and crossed the borders of a few states more than once. At times we were surrounded on either side of the road by the very tallest corn fields we had ever seen. We were getting worried about running out of gas and perhaps ever eating again!
Finally we reached our destination and learned that Rex had told Janet that although he was lost he was not turning around and that she needed to check the maps and find him a way to get him out of this mess. And, it worked. This is just one story of many trips through parking lots and cemetaries with Rex.
