Allen C. Clark
January 6, 1919 - October 11, 2017
Allen C. Clark, 98, whose faith in Jesus Christ was unequivocal, passed away October 11, 2017, joining two sons David and Timothy who preceded him. Allen was born January 6, 1919 to Alta Pentz Clark and John Allen Clark in Altoona, Pennsylvania. When his mother died when he was 3, he and his brother William and sister Celestine were shuttled from orphanage to grandparents, Aunts and Uncles until his father married Sadie Martin Clark. Sadie not only gave Allen a younger brother John, but also encouraged Allen’s faith in Jesus Christ. Summers were spent with many cousins in the farming community of Grampian, PA.
Within moments of graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in Mining Engineering, he was handed orders to report to duty with the Navy. During World War II he served as a lieutenant on an old four-piper destroyer John D. Edwards DD 216 in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and as a Plank owner on the submarine Lionfish USS 298 in the Pacific, and Japanese Sea.
After the war, Allen, his wife Anna and daughter Sarah moved to the west coast, where twins Peter and David and later Timothy joined the family. Ultimately the family moved to Edmonds where they resided for 60 years. Allen began civilian life as a surveyor for the State of Oregon, worked for Standard Oil Company of California for 30 years supervising the construction of the Burns Ave. Truck Stop in Portland, the pipeline and refinery between Ogden, Utah and Pasco, Washington, the movement of the Chevron Oil tanks up the sound from Valdez after the 1964 Alaska Earthquake, and petroleum exploration in Indonesia with Caltex. Bored with retirement, Allen became the project manager for the building of the John Fluke manufacturing site in Everett.
During Allen’s early working years he and his wife of 75 years volunteered with Child Evangelism Fellowship. As charter members of Calvin Presbyterian, he was a deacon and ruling elder teaching Bible studies, hosting college age adults, new membership classes and facilitating the maintenance of the church. For many years, Allen volunteered as an AARP Tax-Aide volunteer helping many seniors with their income tax forms. As a master gardener and baker he was very pleased to share his bounty of apricots, apples, berries, brioche and rye bread with friends, family and neighbors.
He is survived by his wife Anne, daughter Sarah Sundin (Ken) and son Peter (Kathy). Allen had the joy of having eight grandchildren, Daniel, Aaron, Shauna, Krista, and Noah Clark, Marcie Pesceone, Fred and Erik Sundin, and 23 great grand children.
As a very grateful gentleman, Allen so appreciated the kindnesses given to him by the staff at Aegis of Shoreline, Evergreen and Northwest Hospitals, Bothell Healthcare Center, Evergreen Hospice, and Cornelia, Maria, Maria Grace and Lena who cared for him the last few weeks, and days of his life.
Allen's Favorite Bible Verse
I Peter 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power.
FUNERAL INFORMATION
Allen will be interred with full military honors at the Kent, WA Mt. Tahoma National Cemetery at 10:30 November 9, 2017. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 at Calvin Presbyterian.
Calvin Presbyterian
18826 3rd Ave NW
Shoreline, WA 98177
DONATIONS
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be donated to Calvin Presbyterian Deacons Fund or the Salvation Army.