After arriving in Tucson on the 9th of December, Pam needed to return to Arlington to teach school. It was a tough morning saying goodbye to Dad. Little did I know that ALL of us would be saying goodbye to him that evening!
I can only imagine the issues of life that were being solved! Mel and Buster adored their father-in-law. Comforting to know that they were all believers and are HOME.
Dad went to heaven 1-1-12 and a little over three years later, Buster joined him. This has been an exceptionally difficult Christmas! Thank GOD I know you are both in the presence of JESUS and THAT is where I will see y'all again!
You were always there. Amazing that every adult in this picture is in heaven with you - Grandpa Noble and (Aunt) Sue Noble Markham. So thankful for the Godly man you were and how you taught me to trust, believe and seek Jesus and consider all things JOY!
This picture was taken at Christmas. I will thank God every day of my life for the wonderful days, hours, minutes God gave us in the last December we would spend with you.
From a very young age, you taught me to look at the positive - up side of the situation. Every situation was an opportunity to learn and grow. I never felt handicapped because of my asthma, because YOU never saw it as a handicap. I would hear you: JUST TRY. If I could not do it, at least I tried. Just keep on truckin babe, you will get there.
Thank you to a man who used his challenges in life to teach others that THEY CAN DO IT! I thought and still think I can do anything, because my father taught me so.
ROMAN 8:31: IF GOD BE FOR YOU, WHO CAN BE AGAINST YOU?
While cleaning out a drawer, Kimberly found this picture of Dad. Such a great photo and totally encompasses what we remember your earthly body to have been: Smoking a pipe, in shorts with boots and white socks, holding a camera and looking for another adventure.
This was a hard anniversary and this photo brought a sweet smile to many faces! Hard to believe that it has been two years since we have seen your smile, heard your voice or had a hug. We are missing you DADDY!
I remember this trip like it was yesterday. We had so much fun! Although there was one fight between sisters...who would get to sleep with Daddy. Our room had one twin bed and one double bed. Being fair, as always, he said that we would take turns.
The last day in hospice and he was so excited. He was waiting to be transported back to his home. The journey of the past month was miracle after miracle. When even the Doctors lost hope, God strengthened and sustained. We were blessed with many wonderful days after the December 9, 2011 "widow maker" heartattack. I will always praise God for his mercies during those days of grace.
The Birthday Boy was always up for a good time. He would wear whatever the occassion demanded of him. This time hat, glasses and jewlery. So a Superman theme was perfect for Carl Clark, a super man. We even closed with pin the tail on the donkey. A happy day to remember.
E-pa loved birdhouses.
This is how I will forever remember our favorite, loving Uncle! He always had one arm around you and his camera in the other!
Uncle Willie always made me feel SPECIAL! He ALWAYS took the time to ask me about my life and my wold, with REAL interest! I always felt as though I was the only one in the room, when we talked. What a fantastic man!
He made a huge impact on my life! I look forward to the day that I will see him again in Heaven! Love you Uncle Willie!
Dad loved TCC. He wanted everyone to know the Lord and he enjoyed TCC's enthusiasm of reaching the lost.
Lillie looked foward to reading time with E-pa.
Who would have imagined that we had so little time left with the Proud American!
Mike Maynard sent this photo to me. Beautiful memorial to a wonderful man, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather.
April and Chuck Moore are holding one of the last 2012 Arizona sent out by Carl and Virginia Clark. Hand written messages on the January page were an annual gift that will be missed by so many. Many of these calendars were received on the day of the heart attack (12-9-11). A gift from God, Carl Clark lived to see the New Year 2012!
Eulogy written for Louis Estey by Carl Clark
We are here to celebrate Louise's life she shared with all of us. Louis was, and still is in our hearts, a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother, great great great grandmother, sister and aunt and her extended family. Louis was not a happy trooper unless she was helping someone, donating her time to the Sierra Vista Auxiliary, making coat hangers covers, making rugs or driving. She knew God was with her when she would load up her car with fruit, cookies & candy and take off for Missouri either by herself or with my mother, Grace Gentry. Maybe one of the reasons that she became a "Road Warrior" was she loved the smell of gasoline. She had other loves beyond driving, like working, volunteering at the hospital, being Maggie Dembrowski's assistant at the Sierra Vista Senior Center and chaperoning Senior Citizens to Hawaii. Her priority in her life was and is her family and her many friends. She accepted non-blood line relatives (like your truly) as her very own. There was no place in her vocabulary for the words like step grandchildren or in-law whoever since she accepted and loved each and everyone! Her true memorial is that she has been established in our hearts and minds and will be with us through each new generation.
Prayer: Our father in heaven we want to thank you so much for your loan of Louise Estey to us. We appreciate your generosity and your love for us to share her time on earth with us. We are thankful that you allowed her to love and nurture her wonderful, loving family. We ask your blessing on each of us. We praise your name in the name of our best friend, Jesus Christ!! Amen
When I get down because my father is not walking on this earth any more, it lifts my soul to know there is a Mother and Son Reunion in heaven. Thank you, Jesus, that we were able to have him almost 88 years on this earth AND because of Christ I will see them both again!
The Cool Church - TCC in Arizona was my dad's place of worship. He loved this church. Every weekend he would ask everyone "Are you going to church?" Seeking God and knowing more about the bible was a driving force in my dad's life. He wanted everyone to know his savior, Jesus Christ.
William, Emma and Cole loved going to church with E-pa. After church, everyone went to the snack bar and got a donut and drink....then the little ones would play in the water fountain. Going to church with E-pa was THE BEST!
Lillie came to the hospital to see her Epa. Determined that he would get well, she wore her nursing uniform. That little 20 month old did not have the healing power but she did have the power to melt every heart in the hospital.
All of the doctors said he would not make it - coming off of the ventilator for the second time. Yet, God had many more wonderful days ahead before Dad went home to the Lord. The power of prayer...greatest power available to us on earth! Thank you God for many more blessed days.
Waiting for the ball to drop on 2012. The next morning he told Virginia, "We made it to another year."
Tillie went crazy when her master came home from hospice! One happy dog!
Casa de la Luz hospice had a small recognition ceremony on Christmas Day. Hospice wanted to show their appreciation for Dad's service in the Marine Corps during World War II and the Korean War. It touched the Marine!
I remember when I was six years old, Dad put a camera in my hands. Took the time to tell me how to hold it still and frame a picture. He instilled in me, always take pictures. This was a pose ALL of us has seen - he viewed life through the lens of his camera. Thank you, Cindi, for your wonderful pictures, especially this one!
This picture was taken during the funeral for his mother-in-law, Louise Estey. He gave the Eulogy for this service.
