Richard A. Clark

October 5th, it wasn’t a good day, it was the day Rick Clark left. Left the people who loved him, left the people who knew him as Big Rick. Born June 11, 1957 in New Castle, Pennsylvania to Willard and Catherine (Mingione) Clark as Richard Albert Clark.

Holidays were all celebrated with enthusiasm. Family gatherings on the 4th of July found Rick lighting up the backyard, in the spring Rick hid Easter eggs for his baby sister and cherished the Italian feast at Christmas.

Ever the Ohio State fan, Rick also excelled in basketball and football at Cambridge High School. Upon graduation in 1975 he earned a scholarship to Mount Union College. Eventually he entered the world of work which would span more than 35 years in the oil and gas industry. A favorite way to spend a free day was sitting on a lake, fishing with his Bubbas.

Rick captured the heart of Marsha Fivecoat, and they were married June 2, 1984. Their family grew with the blessings of Richard Allen Clark, Carly Caitlin (Jeromy) Mayle, and Emma Catherine Clark. Rick loved his life at the center of his kids’ activities. He spent countless hours coaching youth basketball teams and was closely associated with the power and might of Strasburg girls’ softball teams of all ages.

In addition to his immediate family Rick will be missed by a brother Willard (Nancy) Clark, sisters Joan (Tim) Cox, and Angeline (Curt) Foraker. Marsha’s sisters Carla (Roger) Cooper and Pam (Zack) Hawthorne. Nieces and nephews complete the family Hope and Cody Foraker, Abby Cooper, and Hayden, Joey and Katie Cox along with great-nephew Liam and great-niece Ariah. A very close friend Paul Evancho became family when he married Rick’s cousin Julie Mingione.

Before Rick or any of the family was ready they had previously said goodbye to Rick’s beloved father Willard and his in-laws Carl Fivecoat, Dean and Doris Beitzel.

Rick’s family will greet guests on Sunday, October 8, 2017 from 2-5 PM in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover where Pastor Jason Humble will lead a service celebrating Rick’s life on Monday at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in Grandview Union Cemetery at Strasburg. A meal and fellowship will follow in the Social Hall of the First United Methodist Church of Strasburg.

Today the family asks everyone to tell someone a Big Rick story. A man who did everything by living large! Instead of flowers please consider sending donations to Strasburg Softball c/o Strasburg High School 140 N Bodmer Ave, Strasburg, Ohio 44680 or Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.