Kenton Duane Clark

A loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and loyal friend to many. Ken was born in Minot, North Dakota to Danny and Edith Clark. His family moved to Portland as a small boy to live with his maternal grandparents, John and Agnes Salvey, while his dad served in World War II. Ken grew up in the St. John’s area attending Peninsula elementary school and graduating as a proud Roughrider from Roosevelt High School in 1959. He went on to attend Portland State University. In 1965, Ken married Bernadette Querubin and they had two children: Krista and Michael. They moved to Lake Oswego where he remained for 45 years. They later divorced, and in 1983, Ken married Leanne Giebelhouse. Ken spent his entire career in the sporting goods industry. He began as a salesman with Gillard-Sneyd-Chase Co. and was later promoted to Sales Manager. In 1983, he started his own company with his brother Ron, K-R Clark Associates, representing many well-known brands throughout thirteen Western states. His company warehoused merchandise for Franklin Sports, Academy Broadway, Century Primus, Excel exercise equipment, among others and sold to major retailers like G.I. Joes, Costco, Fred Meyer, and Bi-Mart. Throughout his career, Ken and K-R Clark Associates won numerous sales awards and accolades. His involvement with Franklin Sports afforded many opportunities to meet and entertain the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Don Mattingly, Mike Schmidt, Evander Holyfield, Bo Jackson, and Herschel Walker, to name a few—a perk for sure. Ken and Leanne also owned Wings & Paws in downtown Lake Oswego, until he retired in 2000. To keep busy, Ken spent some time building birdhouses with his cousin for Garden Artworks. An outdoor enthusiast, Ken loved the Great Outdoors spending much of his free time hunting, fishing, camping—or just working outside. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Ken spent countless weekends at Charlton’s Duck Club on Sauvie’s Island as weekend cook and handyman. He learned the carpentry trade from his father, and loved to lend a helping hand to whomever he could. Over the years, he loved many golden retrievers (Jack, Cody, Annie, Gracie) and his French Brittany, Gus. He is survived by his children, Krista (Tony) Peterson and Michael (Heidi) Clark; grandchildren, Natalie Clark, Ethan Clark, Lauren Peterson and Alex Peterson; sister, Bonnie Dimick; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by wife, Leanne Giebelhouse Clark; father, Danny; mother, Edith; and brother, Ronald. Ken passed away as a result of late stage Alzheimer’s at 76 years young. Special thanks to the amazing staff at Sunrise Adult Foster Care and Hopewell House Hospice for their compassionate care—we are forever grateful. There will be a Celebration of Life on Friday, May 18, 1-3pm, at Hayden’s Lakefront Grill (8187 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Rd, Tualatin, OR) In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions or donations can be made in Ken’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association | Oregon chapter, 1650 NW Naito Parkway, Suite 190, Portland, OR 97209 or visit www.alz.org/oregon. “What the heart has once known, it shall never forget.”