Fred Clark

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Fred Clark, 82, passed away at Medicalodge in Neosho on March 30, 2019. Fred was born October 10, 1936 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and moved to Neosho with his family in 1947 at the age of 10. His parents purchased Bigham Mortuary on the square and then later moved to Wood Street where the Clark Funeral Home is today. Fred and his family lived above the funeral home for several years until they go their business off the ground.

Fred attended high school at Neosho High School (NHS) where he was very active in sports and various clubs. He played and excelled in football, basketball and tennis. He attended Missouri State University (MSU) in Springfield, before going to the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science where he graduated in 1957. He returned to Neosho to join his mother and father in the business. Fred's father died suddenly in 1965 and Fred assumed a bigger role in running the funeral home with his mother. His wife, Sue, two sons and grandson later joined him in the business.

Fred loved his community and worked tirelessly to promote its prosperity. Fred and his parents were long time members of the First Baptist Church in Neosho. Fred remained dedicated to the church throughout his life, including serving as a deacon for many years and more recently provided his time and treasure to ensure the new sanctuary would be completed.

Fred was one of the founders of Crowder College and served for over 50 years on its Foundation Board. He also served the community as a board member of Community Bank and Trust; a member and past president of the local Rotary Club; and was actively involved in the Neosho Chamber of Commerce, American Cancer Society and the Neosho R-5 Charitable Foundation.

Fred received many community honors, including the Neosho Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Community Award, the Neosho R-5 Charitable Foundation Distinguised Alumni Award, the Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds Award, the American Cancer Society Lifetime Achievement Award, both the Citizen of the Year Award and Citizen of the Century Award from the Neosho Chamber of Commerce in 2004. Fred loved animals and rescued dozens of dogs over the years. He was a devoted supporter of the Faithful Friends Advocates, Inc. in Neosho. For several years he was voted 'most recognized' in Newton County which always surprised him. Under Fred's leadership, the funeral home hosted several annual events, including the Pastors and Cemeterians Banquet, the Widow to Widow dinners and outings and his branchild, The Tree of Memories.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Bernice Clark and his wife, Sue, in 2011. He is survived by his children, Dan Hierholzer (Tina) of Neosho; Tamara Franks (Clay) of Lee's Summit, MO; Suzanne Pfefferkorn (Mark) of Lee's Summit, MO and Paul Clark of Neosho; six grandchildren, Ryan Franks (Triston) of Ekron, KY; Ben Franks (Lauaren) of Raymore, MO; Taylor Boman of Chicago, IL; Tanner Boman of Overland Park, KS; Sarah Daspit (Matt) of Springdale, AR and Blake Hierholzer of Neosho. Fred has seven great granchildren: Jensen, Sawyer, Beckett, Ryder, Lance, Grayson and Jackson.

VISITATION

Clark Funeral Home - Neosho
Wednesday, April 03, 2019
12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
312 S. Wood St.
Neosho, Missouri

FUNERAL SERVICE

First Baptist Church
Thursday, April 04, 2019
11:00 AM
12325 E Highway 86
Neosho, MO

Memorial donations in memory of Fred may be made to Crowder College Foundation or First Baptist Church, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66, Neosho, MO 64850.