Jeff Clark

Jeffrie “Jeff” J. Clark, of Paola, Kansas passed away on January 21, 2019 at Paola Country Club Estates at the age of 67. After surviving three liver transplants and twenty-five years of medical complications, Jeff is finally at peace. Jeff was born in Kansas City, Kansas to Charles and Jean Clark on April 14, 1951. He was the second son of five children and perhaps the most outspoken and ornery. Jeff was full of fun and loved to play baseball with his friends as a kid. He lived with his family, including his Grandma Clark, who had a huge influence on him as a boy. Jeff graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School in 1969 and then pursued elementary education at Kansas University for two years. Jeff’s dad Charles frequently described him as a man who marched to the beat of his own drum. He had many jobs, many friends, many homes, and many fulfilling experiences that enriched his life. He loved to tell the story of hitchhiking to California with $30 in his pocket, quickly spending the money, and having to get a job to pay for his transportation home. What was supposed to be a weekend trip to visit his cousins, turned into a two-year stint as a yacht builder where he enjoyed the California spirit of free love. An all-American man, Jeff was a talented carpenter, businessman, computer repair man, school bus driver, waterbed salesman, mentor, city councilman, amateur singer, and professional talker. He met and married Sandie Miller in 1981 and had two children together, Stephanie and Tony Clark. Together Jeff and Sandie owned and operated Clark Office Products in Paola from 1985 to 2007. Later in life, Jeff continued his legacy of service by providing computer repairs to the Paola community. Jeff was active in the community, serving as a Paola City Councilmember, mentoring students through the Youth Friends program, and serving on the Paola Senior Center board. He was active in Lighthouse Presbyterian Church serving as a deacon and greeter and volunteered for many years at vacation bible school. Jeff enjoyed chatting with his friends and bragging about his children, helping others with their computers, traveling, and playing with his granddaughter Beckett. He was known by many as always willing to lend a helping hand and a friendly voice. He will be immensely missed by his family, friends and entire Paola community. Paola meant so much to him and he was honored to be a member of the city he loved. Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Jean, and his brother, Kenneth. He is survived by children, Stephanie and Anthony; his granddaughter Beckett; his sisters, Ysleta and Kathy; and his brother, Don. The family of Jeff wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Heartland Hospice for their care and assistance, and to all his friends who have been a constant and unwavering support system. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Paola Senior Center and Lighthouse Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 24 from 6-7 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at Lighthouse Presbyterian Church in Paola. To leave a special memory of Jeff or to leave a condolence message for his family, please go to Share a Memory Post Now tab.