C.H. Clark

Surrounded by family, C.H. Clark passed away August 29th at his home in Greeley at the age of 100. Born December 17, 1923, in Mexico, Missouri, C.H. was the son of Myrtle (Roberts) and Charles Clark.  The family, which included an older sister, Anita (Nan) and a younger brother, Donn (Bud), moved to the Longmont area in 1926.

C.H. spent most of his elementary years attending Pleasant Hill, later known as Liberty Hall which is the present site of Liberty Hall Grange.  He walked the 5 miles round trip or occasionally rode his horse or bike to school.  It was a two-room school with 4-5 kids in a grade.  For high school, C.H. attended Longmont High School.  No busing was provided so transportation was participating in a carpool where everyone paid a little to help with gas.  He was too busy helping his dad with farming to participate in sports but did letter in Future Farmers of America (FFA) during high school. It was during his senior year that the family was finally able to enjoy electricity in the home.

After graduating in 1941, C.H. enrolled at CSU (Colorado Aggies) on an FFA scholarship.  After one year he enlisted in the Navy to serve during WWII.  He served aboard LSM73 in the South Pacific, moving troops to and from various battle areas. C.H. took part in the Battle of Okinawa. During the final phase of the war, the 68 men on board were given the chance to choose one man to enter the new NROTC program at Oregon State College (now OSU) and C.H. was chosen.  After a year at OSC and the end to the war, he was discharged. He then enrolled at C.S.U. and later transferred to C.U. where he received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Business.

After substituting for his mother at Mead Elementary, C.H. decided he would like to pursue teaching. He began teaching at Mead Elementary and later in grades 7 and 8 at Columbine School before reorganization of the school districts in Colorado.  After the school district became St. Vrain School District RE-IJ, C.H. was assigned to Mead as both the elementary and junior high principal.  He then helped open Burlington Elementary and later opened Northridge and Loma Linda Elementaries as their first principal before retiring in 1979.

While getting started with his teaching career, C.H. met Mary Lou Hansen at the sugar beet dump where she was working in the office and he was working hauling beets for his dad. It was a whirlwind romance, and they were married on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1950.  The following year they welcomed their son, Douglas Charles, and three years later, daughter, Nyla Sue.  C.H. continued to farm, drive the school bus and teach at the beginning of the marriage.

There were many other activities going on in addition to school administration for C.H.  He and Mary Lou had an addiction to rehabbing property.  Over their years there were 14 homes/farms that were renovated and flipped.  His love of horses and roping were a great part of C.H.’s entire life.  A member of the St. Vrain Saddle Club, he always helped Doug and Nyla with their horse activities throughout their years.  He was instrumental in starting the Amateur Night at the Boulder Country Fair, the night before the PRCA Rodeo.  It was extremely successful while he and Mary Lou helped lead it.  Later he was named Old Timer of the Year at the Old Timer’s Rodeo in Longmont. 

Horseback riding wasn’t the only riding C.H. enjoyed.  He and Mary Lou took many motorcycle rides including trips with Dr. Bud Yost and his wife, Ruth.  He didn’t give up riding horses or motorcycles until he was into his 90’s. Anyone who had the opportunity to spend a little time with C.H. would be the beneficiary of a good story.  He was a great storyteller and it got even better with age.

After retirement in 1979, C.H. loved his winters in Wickenburg, AZ.  Besides being in the Team Roping Capital of the World, he looked forward to many evenings playing cards with friends and golfing at the nearby golf courses.

C.H. was preceded in death by his siblings; his wife, Mary Lou, in 2017; and his son-in-law, Terry Jacobsen.  He is survived by son, Douglas (Laura) Clark; daughter, Nyla Bristow; granddaughters, Shannon (Seth)Koester and Corrine (Bryon) Hughes; step-granddaughter, Stephanie (Ryan) Sleight; great-grandsons, Bryant, Corbin and Nash Koester; and step great-grandchildren, Riesa and Kael Sleight.

Per C.H.’s request, no services are planned.  Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society of Weld County or the NOCO Humane Society.