David Gibbons Clark

David Gibbons Clark Sr.

August 4, 1949 – September 16, 2018

Dave was born in Chalfont St. Giles, England on August 4, 1949 to parents Gibbons and Phyllis Clark.  His father was a pastor, so growing up they lived in a few different Michigan communities where he served in local churches.   Dave attended Lansing Sexton High School through his junior year of high school.  He then graduated from Northville HS in Northville, MI in 1967.  He studied at Moody Bible Institute, earning certification in Missions and singing in the Moody Choir. While living in Chicago he worked at the legendary Garrett’s Popcorn!  After Moody he attended University of Illinois at Chicago, and then finished his Bachelors of Science at Western Michigan University.

He was trained as a medic in the US Army, and was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany.  Dave travelled extensively in Europe with the 7th Army chorus.  In 1974 he started Clark’s Lawn Care while working his way through college.  The business grew, and it became his life’s work.  He found great joy in his work, and poured himself into it.  He had many faithful employees over the years, especially Mike Makowski who worked with Dave for 28 years and was like a son to Dave!

On June 1, 1974 – he was united in marriage to Coleen Wilson at First Baptist Church of Paw Paw with Dave’s dad Gibb Clark presiding over the ceremony.  They were happily married for 44 years!  God used them greatly to encourage youth, young adults, family, and friends from church.  They hosted many large gatherings together, and he made everyone feel like they were part of his family.

Dave accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior as a youth.  His faith in Christ continued to grow in his adult years.  The depression of his later years gave him a great heart of compassion for others who were enduring difficult seasons of life. Dave was a member of the Lawton Evangelical Mennonite Church, and enjoyed singing on the worship team.  He was also formerly a member of the Paw Paw Lions Club, the Paw Paw community choir, the Paw Paw Township Board, and served as the sexton for the Paw Paw Township cemeteries for many years.    He volunteered as a Paw Paw youth sports coach and sponsor for many years, and also coached the Red Arrow Soccer Club for six years.   He was the varsity men’s soccer coach at Paw Paw High School for two seasons, and led them to a state championship in 1998.  He also was an avid fan and supporter of his grandsons’ youth sports teams in Portage.

He enjoyed playing golf, euchre, and any type of competitive game with family and friends.  He was known for his great sense of humor and made anything you did with him fun.  He loved to playfully poke fun at others.  He was very generous, welcoming, and caring.

Dave is survived by his wife Coleen, his mom Phyllis, children Annie (Ray) Schnurstein of Portage MI, David Jr. (Joanna) Clark of Richmond CA, and John (Jess) Clark of Portage MI.  He loved and adored his 5 grandchildren: Pablo, Wilson, Carson, Bryson, and Jaye.  He has two siblings: Becky (Mick) Lindsey of Simi Valley CA and Dan (Cherie) Clark of Grand Haven, MI.  He had great love for all of his extended family – cousins, nephews, nieces, in-laws, etc.

Visitation will be held at Lawton Evangelical Mennonite Church (425 S. Nursery St Lawton MI) on Monday September 24th from 5-8pm and Tuesday September 25th from 10-11am.  A celebration of life service will be held at Lawton Evangelical Mennonite Church on Tuesday September 25th at 11am.  Those planning a memorial contribution are asked to consider; Kalamazoo Gospel Mission or Lieber Research Group.