John Clark
LIFE STORY
Dr. John David Clark, a creative and curious human who brought wisdom, warmth, and care to both people and their beloved pets, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on November 21, 2024, at the age of 91.
Born on June 17, 1933, in Ames, Iowa, John was the youngest child of Lillie M. (Swanson) Clark and Fred F. Clark and the brother of Henry F. Clark and Ray (Jean) Clark.
John was predeceased by his son, David Scott Clark; his parents; his brothers; and his in-laws, Bill and Ruth Ohlsen and Pat and Freeman Bradford. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nancy; his children, Laurie (Mark), Lisa (Pam), and David; his granddaughter, Heather (Dylan); and his step-granddaughter, MacKayall of whom will miss him dearly.
John enjoyed an idyllic childhood in Ames, shooting rockets, racing in soapbox derbies, making radios, and playing with his friends. He graduated from Ames High School in 1952 and went on to study Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 1958. The following year, he married Nancy Ann Bradford in a double wedding alongside Nancy’s sister Ruth and John’s best friend Bill. Shortly after their wedding, John and Nancy moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he had a long and happy career as a small-animal veterinarian.
To say that John loved practicing veterinary medicine is an understatement. He practiced long past the age when most people retire, and he was proud to be the 2008 recipient of the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association’s Veterinarian of the Year award and a 2015 inductee into the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association’s Hall of Fame.
John and Nancy created a warm and loving home, and their children know how fortunate they were to win the “parent lottery.” John was the sort of dad who encouraged and supported his children’s journeys and then stepped aside to let them find their paths, never wavering in his support.
John had a knack for hands-on work and was often busy maintaining, repairing, or tackling a building project. His favorite projects included his home and his mountain getaway, where he enjoyed the cool temperatures and a neighborly community.
A scientist at heart, John approached most things with deep curiosity, always aiming to gain understanding, knowledge and skill. In his early and later years, he took up glider flying. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, especially science fiction, both of which sparked his imagination.
He was known for his thoughtful leadership and problem-solving abilities, earning him respect on the many boards and organizations he served. John’s empathy and warmth were as notable as his intellect. He loved thoughtful conversation and was never shy about shedding a tear or two.
John had a straightforward outlook on life, with the somewhat tongue-in-cheek exception that he planned to live to be 168 and ½ years old. We are, of course, disappointed that he didn’t make it that far. His unique perspective and way of expressing himself shine through in the words he wrote for this moment:
“He did not suffer. John is DEAD, he did not pass away; he died, end of his story. He did not accept any religious belief systems and did not anticipate an afterlife. If he is wrong, he will chuckle; magical thinking was not, in his view, a reasonable way through life.”
At any rate, his creativity, intellect, kindness, and the way he made the world shine brighter will be deeply missed.
In memory of John, please do your best to make the world a better place.
MEMORIES
I am writing to tell you that there was an obituary in the paper that John Clark died on Nov 21st at the age of 91. John and Nancy joined us for our holiday celebrations a few times and they were part of ICA in my early years but I don’t remember when they left. John was a veterinarian who arranged for me and John to do strategic planning for a veterinarian assoc which led to further strategic plans in that field. He was a really fine man!
~~ Marilyn Oyler
John and Nancy Clark were early Phoenix colleagues. They came to Chicago to the West Side in the late 60’s. Nancy coordinated the kitchen at 3444 and also taught in the preschool. John worked in Development and was somehow involved in the connections that resulted in 4750 being donated (sold for $1.00) to the Ecumenical Institute. These words from his obituary:
“His unique perspective and way of expressing himself shine through in the words he wrote for this moment:
“He did not suffer. John is DEAD, he did not pass away; he died, end of his story. He did not accept any religious belief systems and did not anticipate an afterlife. If he is wrong, he will chuckle; magical thinking was not, in his view, a reasonable way through life.”
At any rate, his creativity, intellect, kindness, and the way he made the world shine brighter will be deeply missed. In memory of John, please do your best to make the world a better place.”