Kenneth Douglas Clark was born to Sidney and Florence Clark in Berkeley, California on February 21, 1944. Sidney was a soldier overseas in World War II where he was wounded, and he was sent back to the states to recuperate.   After his recuperation, the family moved to Colorado where most of their relatives lived. In time Sidney was accepted to the Veterinary School at Colorado State University and the family moved from Collbran, CO to Fort Collins where Sidney studied to become a Veterinarian.   

Another move led them back to California where Sidney eventually owned his own Veterinary hospital which he ran until he retired at age 77.

When Doug was 12 years old his parents divorced, and Doug and his mother moved back to Colorado. In the early 1960’s they moved to Greeley, CO where his mother graduated from University of Northern Colorado with a degree in elementary education.  Doug also attended the University High School and he graduated in 1962. When Doug’s mother was offered a teaching job in Grand Junction, CO, they moved again. 

It was during his time attending Mesa Junior College in Grand Junction that he met his wife, Donna Schmitz.  After they married, they lived in Grand Junction for a few years where Doug worked as an insurance agent for New York Life and Donna worked for Mountain Bell.  In 1967, Kelly Diane Clark was born. 

Pursuing Doug’s love for animals and because his dad was a veterinarian, the family moved to Fort Collins in 1970 to follow his dream of being a vet.   He graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science.  In 1971, Karen Denise Clark was born. While working on a master’s program, Doug applied to the vet school multiple times but due to the extreme competition was not accepted.  His dream to be a vet ended but his love for animals was always a part of his DNA.  He shifted his career to work as a real estate agent both for residential and commercial properties.

Doug was a devoted husband and father.  Donna’s job with Mountain Bell required varying hours each day.  This meant Doug spent a lot of his time with his daughters.  He was happy that his career in real estate and its flexibility allowed him to be there for them.  They were able to do many fun things together.

In 1976, Donna graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Soon after she graduated, she went from a telephone operator to a telephone technician with Mountain Bell, a job previously held only by men. Doug was incredibly supportive of Donna and her new job, telling her that she could learn to do anything a man could do. 

Over the next years as the girls grew and blossomed into kind and loving people, Doug formed a great bond with each one of them.  He always encouraged them, telling them they could be and do whatever they set their mind to.  

In 1986, Doug and Donna moved to Worthington, Ohio where Donna was offered a job as a trainer at the AT&T training center in Dublin, Ohio. Doug’s extensive experience with carpentry and refurbishing allowed him to have his own business. This move left Kelly at Colorado University basically on her own. She said that she often thought she would leave the nest but did not expect the nest to move away from her. It turned out that the distance helped her learn how to be independent. 

Another move for Donna and Doug took place 6 years later when Donna was transferred to a job with AT&T in New Jersey. With this move Karen was left in school at The Ohio State University. Home moved away from her much like Kelly’s situation.  The distance from home helped Karen also learn to be independent. In 1996, Doug and Donna became Grandparents when Karen gave birth to Sydney Diane Biscarri Clark. 

In 2010, Doug and Donna retired and moved back to Ohio where Kelly, (Jerry), Karen and Sydney lived.  Doug worked part time as the Post Master at a local post office.  Many people came in to the post office just to visit with Doug.  He fully retired in 2013 and enjoyed being active in his church, close to his family and spending time with a rescue cat that became his Shadow.

Sayings we will miss hearing 

• How are you?   Doug- “If I were any better, I would have to be twins…”   
      or “If I were any better, it would have to be a frame-up”
• Do you need anything else? …..     Doug- “A million dollars”
• “If you believe that I have some property in Antarctica to sell you”
• “Devil speaking who in hell do you want?”
• “It’s nice to see me again”