Capt. David Clark, US Air Force (Ret.)

Capt. David Clark, US Air Force (Ret.), 88, of Blythewood, died on Friday, June 7, 2024. Born May 7, 1936, in Worcester, Massachusetts, he was a son of the late Byron and Ada Amelia Peterson Clark. Capt. Clark honorably served his country for more than 28 years in the US Air Force as a meteorologist. During his enlistment, he had the opportunity to extensively travel both domestically and abroad. Capt. Clark especially enjoyed his three assignments living in Japan. He received many awards and medals, including, Meritorious Service Medal, Air and Space Commendation Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal (2), Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award (2), Air and Space Longevity Service Award (4), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. Following his decorated military career, Capt. Clark worked for the National Weather Service as a meteorologist for over 20 years. While employed at the NWS, he was instrumental in developing AWHIP, which is the precursor to the doppler radar technology used today. Capt. Clark began his education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in General Studies and Mathematics. He would later earn his Master of Science in Education from the University of Southern California and his Master of Science and Engineering from Washington State University. Throughout the years, Capt. Clark loved participating in many outdoor activities. He enjoyed playing golf, running, and snow skiing. Capt. Clark ran the Boston Marathon in 1996 and had the unique opportunity to snow ski in some of the most beautiful mountain locales in Switzerland, Italy, and Germany. He spent many hours enjoying Big Band music, solving Sudoku puzzles, as well as playing Mexican Train, Dominoes, and Mahjongg with family and friends. Throughout his life Capt. Clark always maintained his Christian faith. He currently attended Trinity United Methodist Church in Blythewood and was a former member and Lay Pastor at St. James United Methodist Church in Maryland. Of all his accomplishments, his greatest was his family. He was proud of each one of them and cherished every moment he spent with them. Survivors include his wife, Janet E. Clark; son, Jeffrey A. Clark (Raelyn) of Ripon, CA; daughter, Jennifer A. Nishikawa (Martin) of Fresno, CA; stepson, Matthew T. Murphy (Linda) of Lexington, SC; and stepdaughters, Deborah A. Wendolek (George Winstead) of Huntsville, AL, Emily S. Saathoff (Kevin) of Blythewood, and Amy M. Murphy of Mechanicsville, MD. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Bradley Clark, Gregory Clark, Jaret Nishikawa, Drew Nishikawa, Ethan Murphy, Marie Stroh, Landon Winstead, Kayla Dotson, Joshua Saathoff, Jacob Saathoff, Alexandra Saathoff, Sabrina St. Clair, and Zachary St. Clair; great grandchildren, Aiden and Declan Clark; sisters-in-law, Barbara Ann Whitman (David) and Joyce Radtke; brothers-in-law, Allen C. Thomas (Patricia) and Wilbur Richard Thomas (Darlene); as well as dear friends, Edith Candee and Danny Hanna. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Phyllis Leanna. The funeral service for Capt. Clark will be held at 11 o’clock, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC. A private burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. The family will receive guests prior to the funeral service beginning at 10 o’clock. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. James United Methodist Church, 12470 Old Frederick Road, Marriottsville, MD 21104. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

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Capt. David Clark, US Air Force (Ret.)

May 7, 1936 - June 7, 2024