Gerald Clark

Robert Gerald Clark, son of Leslie Orlando and Corda Lillian (Hart) Clark, was born January 4, 1935, in Green Bay Township in Clarke County, Iowa and passed from this life Monday, September 19, 2022, at Clearview Home in Mt Ayr, Iowa at 87 years of age.

Gerald attended country school and Osceola high school before enlisting in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, which began a 23-year career that took him around the world. Gerald was stationed all over the U.S., including Florida, Maine, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Virginia, and Illinois, as well as many different parts of the world during his time as a Navy Seal. He served on submarines such as the USS Tullibee and the Tiru during his many deployments. Gerald had many different qualifications in the Navy including submariner, underwater demolitions expert, Navy parachutist, company commander, recruiter, and career counselor to mention a few. He retired after 23 years of service in July of 1975 at the rank of Senior Chief Torpedoman.

Gerald was also a family man; he was united in marriage to Delores Elizabeth Alford on July 31, 1956, in Key West, Florida and they were blessed with three children: Donna, Debbie, and Robert. As a military family they lived in many different cities until Gerald and family returned to Osceola in 1970. Gerald purchased the Lyric Theater, which was the first place he ever worked as a young man. He also owned the Uptown Hotel and Café with his wife. Gerald was an active member of his community, being elected to the Osceola City Council and elected Osceola mayor for two terms. He was involved in many organizations in different capacities, some of which include charter member of the Osceola Eagles Lodge Aerie #3495 where he served many offices. Gerald was a member of the Davis Pence Post #69 of the American Legion, and member of the V.F.W. He loved flying and building airplanes; he was active with the Osceola Airport and getting the new airport built and was also an inspector for Experimental Aircraft Association. He built and flew numerous planes. He also enjoyed building model ships and airplanes- he even helped build an airplane for the movie Flight of the Phoenix. Gerald’s wife Dee preceded him in death in August of 1989. Gerald was united in marriage to Lynnette Cox-Atkinson on July 17, 2010, in Osceola. Together they were active with the Osceola Eagles and enjoyed family activities.

Those relatives who preceded Gerald in death were his first wife Dee Clark, daughter Debbie Clark, parents Les and Corda Clark, grandsons Jacob and Joseph Adair, son-in-law David Adair, sister Barb Philpot (husbands Kenny Symonds and Bill Philpot), sister and brother-in-law Virginia  and Clarence Scholl, niece Joyce Marie “Sue” Taylor, and step-son Tory Cox.

Gerald leaves to cherish his memory: wife Lynette Clark of Osceola, IA, daughter Donna Lynn Adair of Osceola, IA, son Robert Joseph (Nila) Clark of Osceola, IA, step-daughters Annette (Johnny) Miler of Osceola, IA and Suzanne (Chuck) Craig of Mississippi, and three generations of grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Kale Funeral Home - Osceola, Saturday September 24, 2022 at 11:00 am with Pastor Phil Coe officiating.

Gerald’s family greeted friends from 9:30 am to 11:00 am Saturday, September 24, 2022 at Kale Funeral Home.

If you are unable to attend the service in person, a live stream will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on Robert’s tribute wall beginning at 11:00 am, Saturday.