Joseph Leo Clark

Joseph Leo Clark passed away on December 18, 2020 in Prosper, Texas, at the age of 84. He died unexpectedly of natural causes, though his family and his doctor believe it was from a broken heart on the recent loss of his wife of 60 years just 11 days prior.

Joe was born to Tishie and Leo Clark in 1936 in Trumann, Arkansas. He was the oldest of 5 siblings and he loved them dearly. He is survived by his son Tim Clark and daughter-in-law Ginger Clark of Azle, Texas, daughter Laqudia Clark Tibbs of Harrisburg, Arkansas, son Lee Clark and daughter-in-law Betsy Clark of Prosper, Texas, and grandsons Benjamin Clark and Nathan Clark of Prosper, Texas. He is also survived by 2 sisters and is preceded in death by his wife Ann Clark, his parents, one sister and one brother.

Joe grew up in a farming community in Rives, Tennessee and worked as a farmer as a young man. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1956 and served more than 20 years of service on multiple deployments before retiring in 1980 as a non-commissioned officer. In his time in the Navy, he served on the U.S.S. Jarvis, the U.S.S. Intrepid, the U.S.S. John Kennedy, and the U.S.S. Aylwin. In addition, he served in an instructor position in multiple on-shore assignments. While in the Navy, he extensively traveled the world earning promotions and medals for his service and conduct. His awarded medals include for his extensive service in the Vietnam War and his service during the Iranian hostage conflict at the end of his Naval career.

Upon retiring from the Navy, he joined the United States Postal Service, where he served for another 20+ years, retiring in 2004. He served at the Dallas Bulk Mail Facility in Dallas, Texas, for his entire career in the postal service as a lead member of the maintenance team for the elaborate equipment there. He made many friends during his time in the Postal Service and enjoyed his second career there immensely.

In 1960, Joe and Ann Earl met in Chicago, Illinois. They fell deeply in love and were married on November 8, 1960. They stayed married and in love with each other over the next 60 years. In their time together they had 3 children: Timothy in 1961, Laqudia in 1964, and Lee in 1970. They lived in various places as a military family in the Navy: including Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida and South Carolina.

Upon Joe's retirement from the Navy in 1980, Joe and Ann settled in Grand Prairie, Texas. They continued to raise their family and Joe very much enjoyed being home full time in his career at the Dallas Bulk Mail Center. They lived in Grand Prairie for over 35 years raising their children, and becoming involved in the community and in their church. They were members of the Bible Believers First Assembly of God Church in Grand Prairie for many years and made many great friends during this time. They were so thankful to find such a loving community!

Joe and Ann spent the last 4 years of their life together in Prosper, Texas to be near their grandkids, Ben and Nathan, of whom they loved so dearly! Joe was a wonderful "Pa" who spent as much time with their grandkids as they could during this time.

Funeral Services for Joe, along with his wife Ann, will be held on January 16th, 2021 at the Bible Believers First Assembly of God Church in Grand Prairie. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic, attendance will be limited. However, the service will be livestreamed on Facebook for everyone to watch from the Bible Believers First Assembly of God Church, https://www.facebook.com/bbfagp.