Clark Wallace

OBITUARY OF CLARK ALLISON WALLACE Following a full and rich life filled with challenges, adventure, and family, Clark A. Wallace, 93, died May 29, 2008 at his Ilwaco, Washington residence. The eldest of 4 children born to Frank and Hazel (Thompson) Wallace, he was born April 2, 1915 in Denver, Colorado where he grew up. On April 3, 1932, the day after he turned 17, Clark joined the United States Navy. Following boot camp he was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma where he served the ensuring 6 years and his brother Roy also was aboard for part of the time. In 1938 the Oklahoma was sent to Barcelona, Spain to pick up refugees from the Spanish Civil War and that was to be Clark's final voyage at sea aboard the famed vessel which was later sunk on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor. Clark re-enlisted for shore duty and was assigned to Pensacola, Florida. There he was accepted into flight training as an enlisted man and he received "his wings" on December 6, 1941. Stopping by home in Denver on his way to his new station at San Diego, CA he learned of the Pearl Harbor attack and he immediately reported for duty at San Diego. Clark flew numerous missions overseas during World War II and was especially proud of the 155 missions he flew during the Berlin Airlift at the end of the war in Europe. His military duty was completed when he served aboard the USS Eldorado. In 1954 he settled on the Peninsula where he began logging for Ray Provo's logging operation and this later became Peterson-Wallace Logging Co. When he retired he worked part time for Roy Oman's lumber yards on the Peninsula. Clark was a very faithful and devoted member of Saint Mary's Catholic Church of Seaview where he enjoyed many friendships. Clark was also a devoted family man and in past years enjoyed building and flying (and sometimes crashing) radio controlled aircraft. Clark was a member of Ilwaco Post 48 of the American Legion where he was a past commander and past adjutant. He and Jean Provo were married January 10, 1936 in Port Orchard, Washington. They enjoyed 62 years of married life until her death in April of 1998. Survivors include daughter Patricia Cook of Ilwaco; sons Dick (Ellen) Wallace of Ilwaco, Michael (Kathy) Wallace of Federal Way, WA; Daniel (Jo) Wallace of The Dalles, OR and Stephen (Mary) Wallace of Shelton, WA; 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by son David, grandson Tommy, brother Frank LeRoy, and sisters Shirley Hopkins and Joyce Johnson. Recitation of the Rosary will be Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 6:00 PM at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Seaview, Washington. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 4, 2008 also at Saint Mary's. Concluding graveside service will full military honors at Ocean Park Cemetery will be followed by a reception at the church. The family requests memorials to either the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum or St. Mary's Altar Society Scholarship Program in care of Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, PO Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631. The guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.