Owen Leo Clark, age 62 died peacefully July 19, 2020 after a 3-month valiant fight against multiple myeloma with complications including Covid-19 and Pneumonia.
Mr. Clark was a resident of Arizona since August 2018. Owen was born December 22, 1957 (nearly in the elevator!) the sixth of eight children to Mary Elizabeth (Farmer) Clark and Robert Emmet Clark, II at St. Luke Hospital Pasadena, California.
Owen was proud of his Irish-American heritage and Family History. His mother’s people, the Raffertys and Farmers were railroad workers as well as farmers of the Midwest. His father’s family were pioneers, cowboys, and lawmen of Ventura County, California. Clark grew up in Texas and Oklahoma. He was an Altar boy for several years. Owen was a member of the school choir while becoming a strong, powerful, athlete. Clark played football and baseball. He was a 1976 Duncan High School graduate Duncan, Oklahoma. He earned a Football Scholarship to a small school, Panhandle State University, Goodwell, OK. He intended to be an Agricultural Engineer, but plans changed. He worked in the Oklahoma oil fields which lead to more employment in the Environmental Field-Hazardous Waste Management, Remediation and Project Management. A highlight of his career was working a few weeks in Alaska disposing of W.W.II era canisters containing mustard gas. He was fascinated being in the “Last Frontier” and experiencing the Aurora Borealis.
Owen’s hobbies weren’t enjoyed often enough due to his work responsibilities. He was a lifelong Dallas Cowboys Football fan. Mr. Clark enjoyed: golf, hunting, fishing, vegetable, and flower gardening, playing the guitar, as well as being quite a barbecue chef.
Introduced by her parents who met him through church was Kathleen Ann Lazzo. Owen and Kathleen were married for just days short of 30 years. Owen was a hard-working family man which made it possible for Kathleen to be a stay-at-home-mom for many years.
He was preceded in death by his parents Robert Emmet Clark, II age 66, Mary Elizabeth (Farmer) Clark age 75, and oldest brother, Robert Emmet, Clark, III age 63. Owen is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Lazzo) Clark; half-sister, Gail Grace (William Preston, III), ID; sister, Katie Johnson (David) OR; brother, Michael, IL,; sister, Colleen Stegall (Richard) TX; brother, Thomas (Becky) CO; brother, Kevin (Karen) OH; sister Mary Ellen Green (Mark) TX; former wife and mother of his oldest son Marshall, Kathy Gayle (Davis) Hopp TX,
Children: son Marshall, (Lesley); son Sean, CA; son Ian, CA; daughter Nora, AZ; Three Grandsons Hunter, Wyatt, and Levi of TX; 14 Nieces; 10 Nephews; 8 Great-Nieces; 7 Great-Nephews.
Owen will be remembered for being a kind, devoted husband and father, his big generous loving heart, and quick smile or joke making a person feel at ease.
He is painfully missed.
“…Love bears all things, believes all things…Love never fails…” 1 Corinthians; 13: 4-8, Mark 4:39b, Hebrews 11:1a
An All Souls Day Group Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, November 2, 2020 at the All Souls Day Mass at 8:30 A.M. at St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 2312 E. Campbell Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85016. Burial will be held following Mass at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th St., Phoenix, AZ 85008.
Michelle Freyre
My deepest sympathies for you great loss. Reading the obituary gave me such a greater appreciation for Owen. May you always remember him lovingly.
Richard Murray
Prayers for Owen and his family and friends. What a wonderful life!
Godspeed on your journey!
Marla Thompson Mott- Smith
My heart goes out to the family. I will attend the mass. I am a kissing cousin from the Thomoson side who recently moved to Tucson.
Marci Claudius
Kathleen, my prayers are with you and your family during this monumental loss. Owen was an amazing father and husband.
Robin Todarello
Sending my condolences to you and your family. May your cherished memories bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Alice Granado
RIP, Owen. It was nice working with you and you will be missed. Sending prayers for your family and loved ones during this tough time.
Ann Marie Jensen
I’m so grateful I got to see you all in January. Owen will be missed
Kendall Harrington
Much love to your family. May Owen Rest In Peace.
Darryl Ladd
Dear Kathleen ,
I never had the pleasure of meeting your beloved Owen , you would light up whenever you spoke of him, Although you have experienced sorrow and heartache with his passing, trust in our Savior to lead you through the valley, one day at a time. May you find peace and comfort in the beautiful surroundings you have chosen for Owen’s resting place. Prayers and condolences to you, Nora and the rest of your family.
Peace and Blessings,
Darryl Ladd
Sean Clark
Thank you for writing that mom. There’s so much else he did too. Hard to imagine. My dad was kind to animals, generous to people, loving and very hard headed and prideful. I hope someday to make him proud. He was very devoted to his work and preferred making grand gestures of his love. He really liked movies and that was how we spent most of our time together. We did go on many fishing trips too during my teenage years. I’ll miss you dad.
Jennifer Forster
Dear Kathleen and family,
I am so very sorry to hear of Owen’s passing. I’m sending my condolences to you all. I only remember meeting Owen once or twice, but really enjoyed reading about his life here in his memorial letter. The author did a beautiful job retelling personal moments from his life and past. Of course, a well written snapshot of his good life with you and all whom he loved. It was wonderful to read some details about Owen’s journey. Please know that we are offering prayer for Owen and all of you in your grief. I am so sorry for your loss.
Beverly Rossio
Dear Kathleen,
This summary of Owen’s life is enlightening. I always love to hear the eulogy at the funeral and feel like i get to know the person better. It also causes the writer to do some research and interviewing which is good for the grieving process. I’m sure you miss him very much. I pray for you and your chlldren! Beverly