Wade E. Clark, age 71, of Helena

Wade E. Clark, age 71, of Lima, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 12^th, 2016, after battling a long-term illness.

Wade was born in Pocatello, Idaho on January 23^rd, 1945, to Kenneth Duane Clark and Marcie Blackburn-Clark. He attended high school at Lima High, and graduated in 1963, after which he began attending Western Montana College, to pursue a teaching career.

Midway through his time in college, he decided to enlist in the Army, where he served one tour in Vietnam, and received the following decorations: National Defense Service Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; Air Medal; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm (Unit); Vietnam Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; 2 Overseas Service Bars; Army Service Ribbon; Good Conduct Medal (3^rd Award); Overseas Service Ribbon; NCO Professional Development Ribbon; and Expert Badge, M16 Rifle.

Upon returning from Vietnam, he attended a trade school in Texas to become a heavy equipment operator, after which he worked for a brief time as a construction worker on Highway I-15, between Lima and Butte. When this did not pan out, he moved to Butte, where he and a fellow veteran opened an antique shop, where he did furniture stripping and refinishing. It was here that he met, and began dating his beloved wife, Jane. Unfortunately, the business went under, and his PTSD and Vietnam veteran status made it near impossible to find work.

Wade and Jane were married on May 30^th, 1974, in Whitehall, Montana, and moved there shortly after they were married. When he still could not find work, he decided to reenlist in the Army. The couple, and Jane’s two daughters, Coralyne and Michelle, relocated to an Army post in Schweinfurt, Germany. They moved to Fort Lewis, Washington, where they had two children: Donna and Dennis. He received orders to relocate to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where they had their last child, Diane. Wade was honorably discharged from the Army, having served a cumulative 10 years, and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.

The family moved back up to Lima, Montana, where Wade worked for a time as a farm laborer, before moving to Dillon. It was there that he found what he wanted to do with his life. Thus began his career as a Habilitation Aide for the developmentally disabled. He did this until the family moved to what would be their final home: Helena, Montana. It was here that illness from exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam began to take its toll. Wade continued working as a Habilitation Aide until his illness forced him to retire around 2004.

Wade was a lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was baptized at the age of 8. On July 11^th, 2009, Wade and Jane were sealed as husband and wife, for time and eternity in the Billings Montana Temple. His faith and beliefs were extremely important to him.

Wade dearly loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and most enjoyed seeing and spending time with them all. He also enjoyed playing chess with his grandsons, Jacob and Jeremy Strout, and working on the morning crossword in the paper with his daughter Donna. He also very much enjoyed watching baseball, specifically when his beloved New York Yankees were playing.

Wade was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Marcie Clark, and his brother, Kenneth Clark, Jr.

He is survived by his beloved wife, G. Jane Ward-Clark, his son, Dennis Clark, and daughters: Coralyne (Willard Hulet), Michelle (Garry Holiday), Donna (Bradford Hart), and Diane (Charles VanAller), and brothers: Dennis, Terry, Larry, John (Arleen), and Rick (Peggy), and sisters: Connie Jackson, Linda Jean McCullum, Nancy (Jim Gilbert), and Tamara (Dave Wilson). Wade is also survived by his Aunt Ila Johnson, 17 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.

Please send memorials to Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, First Ward 1610 E. 6^th Ave. Helena, MT 59601.

The family will begin receiving friends at noon on Monday, July 18^th, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1610 6^th Avenue, with funeral services to begin at 1:00. Immediately following, there will be a procession to the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison, Montana where there will be a ceremony with full military honors. Immediately following this, there will be a luncheon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 6^th Avenue building, to celebrate Wade’s life.

Service Schedule

Family Receiving Friends

12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Monday July 18, 2016

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

1610 6th Ave

Helena, Montana 59601

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Funeral Service

1:00 p.m.

Monday July 18, 2016

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

1610 6th Ave

Helena, Montana 59601

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Burial with Military Honors

Following the Funeral Service

Monday July 18, 2016

Montana State Veterans Cemetery

Hero's Raod

Fort Harrison, Montana 59636

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Reception

Following the Burial

Monday July 18, 2016

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

1610 6th Ave

Helena, Montana 59601

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