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CLARK, Charles Henry, Jr., age 89, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, August 2, 2020 with his family by his side. Charles was full of life and it showed in his infectious smile! He never met a stranger. Charles was born on January 9, 1931 in Meridian Idaho to Charles Henry Clark, Sr. and Gail Lorene (Wheeler) Clark. The family moved many times while he was a young child, leaving Idaho, heading to Michigan, moved to Canada, then to Bakersfield CA during the Great Depression where they lived in tents and worked in a cotton field through the WPA Program. Charles was the next to youngest of four brothers and one sister. He was born into a resourceful family, entrepreneurs and hard workers. Their primary skill was carpentry. His family moved to a logging camp in Northern California when he was in elementary school. Charles graduated in Humboldt County from the 8th grade. He enlisted in the Air Force on January 5, 1951 in San Francisco CA, sending him to Lackland AFB for basic training during the Korean War. He excelled in his training and his Commanding Officers quickly put him in charge of the new airmen, with a new group of 80 men every few weeks. When not training the new airmen, he was using his talents as a master carpenter on base. He met his bride of 65 years, Gladys Marie Tondre in San Antonio. They married on December 11, 1954, at the chapel on Lackland AFB. Airman First Class Charles H. Clark was honorably discharged in December 1954. He took his new bride back to Northern California to join his family working at the logging camp. Their family opened a gift shop in the Redwoods selling imported novelty items and wood craft gifts made by the family. Charles and Gladys welcomed their first child when they lived in Northern California, followed thirteen months later by their second child born in San Antonio, Texas, where they moved to help his father-in-law in construction. The family returned to California, but this time to Southern California where they remained until 1995 when Charles and Gladys retired and moved back to San Antonio. Charles and his brothers owned Clark Brothers Construction Co. and built homes and did remodel jobs throughout Southern California, working in some of the toughest areas of East LA to the wealthiest areas in North Hollywood. Some of the jobs were working for the East Los Angeles Redevelopment Agency. When work was slow, he and his brother Bob, worked the night shift at the Long Beach Naval Shipyards, working on aircraft carriers including the USS Missouri, New Jersey, and the Kitty Hawk. Charles’ brothers had passed away which brought the end of their construction company. Charles was offered the Head of Campus Maintenance position at California State University, Fullerton, where all campus tradesmen were under his supervision. He retired after suffering a severe back injury at work. In his spare time Charles received his Taxidermy Certificate. Charles took pride in the fact that he still held one of the oldest General Contractor’s licenses issued in California. He was always ready to plan and help anybody with their project. His favorite place to shop was Home Depot. He and his brothers moved and remodeled many houses during their construction career. After moving back to Texas, he and his wife bought a Sears, Roebuck & Co., kit farmhouse and moved it onto their ranch and completely remodeled it. Charles was a contractor from the time he was barely 12 years old until just before he entered Heaven. Charles was strong in his faith and considered Saddleback Church in Lake Forrest California to be his church. He had many interests including his family, construction, real estate, and technology. Charles loved music, especially country music with some of his favorites being Willie Nelson, Jim Reeves, Charlie Pride and Martina McBride, his feet just could not hold back when the music was playing. He enjoyed being a part of the Dots and Dons Square Dance group when they lived in California. Always ready for a road trip, many times when he was younger he’d finish a construction project, get paid, come home and say “Gladys, pack some food, get some clothes for you and the girls, I’m changing the oil and we will leave for Texas in 30 minutes”! That was the way Charles and Gladys faced each day of their lives together, always ready for the next adventure. Charles is survived by his wife, Gladys Marie Tondre Clark, daughters Bette and husband Luther Hamby, Debra and husband Roger Goar, Grandchildren Chrystal and husband Ambrose (Pete) Rymers, Jr., Tanya and husband Jesse (Tony) Carrasco, Aaron Hamby and wife Dawn Nicole, Nicholas Goar, Great Grandchildren, Ambrose Rymers III, David Rymers, Elliott Carrasco, Emily Carrasco, Collin Goar, Charles Hamby, numerous Nieces and Nephews, Sister-in-Laws, Brother-in-Laws, and many friends. Charles is preceded in death by his father Charles Henry Clark, Sr., mother Gail Lorene Wheeler Clark, sister Gail Vlasschaert and brother-in-law Walter Vlasschaert, brother Kenneth Clark, brother Robert Clark and brother Richard Clark. Charles is a member of the American Legion, Weiss-Wurzbach Post 460. Airman First Class Charles H. Clark, Jr., will be interred with military honors at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 10:15 am.

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Charles Henry Clark Jr.

January 9, 1931 - August 2, 2020