Ralph Clark, 83 of Burlington, Washington, beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend went to his heavenly home on Friday, February 9, 2024. Ralph was born in Anacortes, WA, on December 25, 1940, to Shelby and Kathy Clark.
At age five, Ralph, his brother Wayne, age 10, and their parents felt the call from God to the missionary field and consequently pastored churches in Alaska, Montana and Eastern Washington. It was in a small church in Latah, WA, where Ralph’s dad was pastoring, that he met Janice Savitz. Years later, Ralph was living in Oak Harbor, WA and Janice was attending Northwest Bible College, now Northwest University, in Kirkland, WA, that Ralph would drive to the college to “date” Janice. Eventually, they became engaged and were married in Janice’s hometown of Latah on February 24, 1962.
Ralph joined the Army in 1961 and spent two of his three years of military service in Germany. Janice joined him for one year in Germany. She returned to Mount Vernon, WA in September 1963, and lived with Ralph’s parents since their first child was due in January. Ralph was on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean when he received a cable from his mother that the baby had arrived.
Upon his return to the U.S., Ralph and Janice and baby Elizabeth Ann, made their home in Mount Vernon. Ralph worked for United Van Lines and after a couple of years, the family moved to Marina, California where Ralph continued with United Van Lines. While in California, their second daughter, Deborah Lee, was born. Missing family and friends, they moved back to Skagit Valley and vowed they would never leave the beautiful Northwest again!
Ralph loved the outdoors and enjoyed many hobbies involving being outside. Fishing, hiking, mountain climbing, bicycling, motorcycling and canoeing to name a few. He also enjoyed turning an entire spare bedroom into a model train scene. Ralph’s desire to seek fun and interesting activities led the couple to canoeing the Bowron Lake Chain with friends, embark on camping trips with fellow outdoors lovers, take a cruise to Alaska and travel to our national capital.
Ralph loved his family immensely, but his heart was to put God first in his life. Therefore, church and church activities were high on his list of priorities. He loved working with Royal Rangers, especially camping trips with the boys. He also loved music, and sang in the choirs of several churches.
After 27 years at the Boeing Company, Ralph retired on December 31, 2006. During his retirement years, Ralph enjoyed contributing to the community by having a membership in the American Legion. He made regular donations at local blood banks and served the city of Sedro-Woolley, WA with the “Senior Crime Watch”, riding his motorcycle as a security volunteer and crowd control, during city parades.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Janice Clark of Burlington; daughters, Beth (Dennis) Molvik of Shoreline, WA and Debbie (Jeff) Jensen of La Conner, WA; seven grandchildren, Alicia (Eli) McCombs, Nicholas (Cassie) Lubanski, Elizabeth (Will) Burd, Suzanna Lubanski, Erik (Ash) Molvik, Emily (Nathan) Rottier and Nathan Molvik; four great-grandchildren, Parker, Cohen, Mia and Holly.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00, Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Inspire Church of Sedro-Woolley, Pastor Josh McLaughlin presiding. Ralph’s final resting place will be Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA “Where Heroes Rest.”
Please share your memories of Ralph and sign the online guest register.
