Raoel H Clark

Lt. Col. (ret.) Raoel H. Clark age 85, of Rigby, Idaho, passed away on Sunday, November 6, 2016 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was born in the Idaho Falls LDS hospital on March 22, 1931 to Golda (Hansen) and Merlyn Clark. He was the oldest of three children. Raoel grew up in Southeast Idaho and attended schools in Eagle Rock, Goshen, Idaho Falls, and Rigby. After graduating from Rigby High School in 1949, he joined the Idaho National Guard. In 1950 his unit was called to active duty for the Korean War with the 116th Engineering Battalion, and for his services there, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. Because his mother had instilled in him a desire to get an education, upon his return from Korea, he enrolled at Utah State Agricultural College in Logan, Utah. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity there, and relished sharing his stories from that time of his life. It was here at Utah State, that he met Janet Christensen. Raoel courted Janet for three years. On July 24, 1956, Raoel married Janet in her parent’s home in Maeser, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Idaho LDS Temple on October 11, 1962. Raoel and Janet started their life together in the Shelton and Rigby areas, where he worked for his father on the family farm. In 1962, he accepted a job as the Rigby High School agriculture teacher, and in the process, also completed his Bachelor of Science degree. Raoel and Janet purchased one of his father’s farms near Rigby and moved into the house on the property in 1969. Not only did he raise crops there, he and Janet raised seven children. Teaching the value of work to his children was very important, and he taught that value by expectation and by example. Learning and education were also very important to him, and this attitude was passed on to his children, all of whom graduated from college with engineering and science degrees. After working as the Agricultural teacher, he continued to work for Jefferson County School District #251 as the Business Manager, retiring in 1996 after 34 years. Raoel remained with Idaho National Guard in reserve status for many years, earning the rank of Lt. Col. He was a member of the Rigby VFW Post #1004, and served as the State Commander for that organization. He dutifully maintained his activity and affiliation with the VFW, and enjoyed meeting and reminiscing with his friends there. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served in many capacities: Home teacher, Sunday School teacher, Counsellor to a Bishop, Bishop, Stake Executive Secretary, and High Counsellor. He also spent many years as a temple worker in both the Idaho Falls and Dallas Temples. He and Janet served an LDS mission to the Tallahassee Florida Mission spending most of their time in Eufaula, Alabama. In 2007, they moved to Frisco, Texas, and lived there until Janet passed away on June 9, 2010. Raoel returned to Rigby in 2011. Raoel loved to read, work on his farm, and ride his motorcycles and 4 wheeler. He was never one to just sit around and be idle when there was work to be done. He is survived by his 7 children, Maj. Gregory R (Cheryl) Clark of Omaha, Nebraska; Michael L. (Diana) Clark of Rigby, Idaho; Ross M. (Janet) Clark of Syracuse, Utah; Lt. Col. Jan L. (Matthew) Malaikal of Northville, Michigan; Connie S. (Steven) Hurst of Frisco, Texas; Mark H. (Jennifer) Clark of Santa Clara, California; and Hugh Q. (Verma) Clark of Albuquerque, New Mexico; 28 grandchildren(Two currently serving LDS missions in South Dakota and the Philippines); 2 great-grandchildren; and brother, Hal D (Marlene) Clark of Rigby, Idaho. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Janet Christensen Clark; his brother, Conn K Clark, and a granddaughter Karenna Malaikal. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 11, 2016 at the Rigby Idaho East Stake Center 4021 E 300 N, Rigby ID, with Bishop Jed Neville officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6:00 p.m. to7:30 p.m. Thursday at Eckersell Funeral Home, 101 W Main St. in Rigby, and from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Interment will be at the Annis Little Butte Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com.