Rick Clark

Rick Clark, coach, teacher, avid hunter, accomplished athlete, and lively storyteller, died on December 1, 2016 at Olathe Medical Center from cancer. Born April 8, 1949 in Cherokee, OK to Lloyd and Eva Lou Clark. He was raised with his siblings: Glenn Clark of Paola, Sherry Beck of Ottawa and Clark Lock of Chanute. Rick was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Linda Burch. Growing up Rick was active in many sports, but established himself as quarterback extraordinaire while at Chanute High School, passing over 300 yards in games against Fort Scott and Parsons. He went on to play for Independence JuCo and then played two record breaking seasons at Pittsburg State University, which earned him an induction to the PSU Hall of Fame that he accepted humbly, giving full credit to his team. As one person said, "Rick was one of those guys that was good enough to be a jerk and get away with it, but you know what....he never was." After earning a Bachelor's degree in mathematics and Master's degree in physical education, Rick went on to teach and coach for over 40 years, at high schools in Wellsville, Iola, Hiawatha, Great Bend, Spring Hill and Anderson County, where he impacted thousands of students in his classes and on the field. As a teacher he used patience and a great sense of humor to make math fun rather than intimidating. He was also a fantastic X's and O's football coach that molded mediocre talent into perennial contenders. He believed that no single individual is bigger than the team, and even though there is always someone bigger, faster, stronger, smarter and better looking than you; no one can work harder than you can. Somehow between teaching, grading, coaching, scouting, and blowing his whistle he still found time for hunting, playing softball and even managed to snag a cute blonde gymnastics coach, Tami, to be his wife, while he was living in Great Bend. Tami was his camping partner, softball teammate, loudest fan and could get him to laugh like no one else. Rick was a father figure to many, even if just for season, but his two children, Kortney, 41, and Zane, 19, were blessed to have him as their Dad year round. Coach Dad cheered on his son Zane from the bleachers, watching his All State performance on the field as an Offensive and Defensive Lineman for the Paola Panthers. They spent time together bickering like old men while fishing, watching sports and running a fireworks stand each summer; being not just father and son, but good friends as well. If one ever wondered what Rick would look like as a girl, they could look at his daughter, Kortney. She grew up wearing a dress and a helmet in Hiawatha, following her dad everywhere he went. Rick coached her to State in high school track in Spring Hill and then became the best Grandpa to her four children. Rick loved to talk about his grandchildren. Rick would visit Northern Michigan University where Kainon, 21, is a starting defensive lineman. Rick had a special connection with Miah, 15, that only the two of them understood, but the other children respected. Rick would always ask Trinity, 13, if she used all of her fouls at her basketball games. Zeph, 12, had Coach Grandpa help him with football, basketball and baseball. Rick was respected by many for his honest, no nonsense approach to life and his solid work ethic. No one has done more with their God given talents. At Hiawatha, Rick posted messages on all the seniors" lockers. One message was "To be a winner, you must be remembered as a winner." Rick Clark will be remembered both on and off the field, as a winner. Memorial Services will be held December 17th, 10:00am at Life Church Overland Park, KS. To commemorate his ability to tell a long winded story, there will be a Celebration of Life gathering Dec. 17th ,held at the Olathe Hilton Garden Inn from 2 to 5 PM.. Beer coolers and wildlife flannel shirts are welcome. In lieu of flowers, Rick asked that you make a donation to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society, care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, to help find a cure to this garbage disease that kept him from taking that retirement trip to Alaska. To share your memories of Rick or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the Share Memories button above. Life Church 9800 W. 135th St Overland Park KS, 66213 Service: Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 10:00am Celebration gathering that evening. Visitation: Saturday, December 17, 2016 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm Hilton Garden Inn