Ernest Clark

On Thursday, April 6, 2023, Ernest Edgar Clark, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 89. Ernie was born on August 9, 1933, in Gideon, MO to Willis Edgar and Clara (Weaver) Clark. He continued to live in Missouri until his father passed away.

At the age of 17, he quit school to join the Navy and help support his mother and three younger siblings. While stationed at the Naval Air Station in Atlantic City, NJ, he met Dorothy Anna Gans. They were married on July 10, 1954, in Atlantic City. After the Navy, they moved to Columbia, MO where Ernie graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Agriculture. During these college years, their children, Donna, and Daniel were born.

After living in Missouri and Illinois for 15 years, the family moved to Billings, MT in 1969. Ernie worked in Agriculture sales for 13 years. He was a salesman at heart and went on to sell cars, boats, and airplanes. Ernie owned Ace Rent a Car for several years. He was a pilot and loved to fly. Ernie was also an avid Gin Rummy player and usually won. He spent many summers in Alaska after retiring.

Ernie was preceded in death by both parents and all of his ten siblings, Mildred, Juanita, Almeda, Willis, David, Charlie, Mary Lou, Clara Mae, Lonzo, and Lonnie, and his beloved wife, Dorothy.

He is survived by his children, Donna (Tony) Smith and Daniel Clark as well as his four granddaughters, Sarah (Buster) Strauser, Lindsey Courchene (Joseph Carlos), Tiffany (Kiel) Maguire, and Danielle, and his ten great grandchildren, Tyler, Caiden, Emily (Sarah), Kiyah, Anthony, Cayo (Lindsey), Jazmyn, Kaylee, Emily, and Kiyah (Tiffany).

A memorial service will be held at Faith Chapel on Friday, April 14 at 10:00 am, with burial taking place at the Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel.