Byron James Clark died on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at his residence in Edmonds. Born at his family home in Ballard on April 6, 1917, Byron lived to age 97 and a half, enjoying relatively good health until days before his passing. A lifetime resident of the Seattle area, Byron and his wife Joan raised their family in Innis Arden, north of Seattle, then moved to a home in Edmonds. There they welcomed many visitors and cared for each of their six grandchildren at various times.
A graduate of the University of Washington, class of 1938, Byron Clark earned a degree in Civil Engineering, and began his long civil service career with the Army Corps of Engineers in Seattle. Byron's father, George A. Clark of Camden, NJ died in 1929 when Byron was just eleven. His mother, Anna Emelia Helander Clark, who lived to age 84, immigrated to Seattle in 1907 from the Åland Islands in the Baltic Sea. Byron was the youngest of four children, with three older sisters.
As part of his work Byron went to Anchorage early in 1941, built and shared a small house with friends, and continued his engineering work as a commissioned Army officer [Captain] at the outbreak of World War II. Part of his job was to do reconnaissance for airfields and possible railroad routes in Alaska. Byron also served during the War in Burma along the Ledo Road, and in parts of China. Later, Byron spent the bulk of his working years as a civil engineer for the US Coast Guard in Seattle. As a civilian, he managed and oversaw engineering work related to lighthouses, jettys, and other aids to navigation. In 1972, Byron was awarded the Oren Medal for his outstanding contribution in engineering for his work with the Coast Guard.
Byron and Joan Clark were married in 1948, having met on the slopes at Meany Ski Hut, near Stampede Pass. An avid outdoorsman, Byron joined the Seattle Mountaineers in 1938 and the same year became a member of the new cooperative for outdoor gear, REI - with REI number 52. Byron's original Swiss ice axe and some of his history is currently on display at REI's downtown Seattle store. A climber in his younger days, Byron took his family on countless outings: sailing, skiing, camping, hiking, and backpacking. He also led a number of Mountaineer outings, and later in life skied and hiked year round well into his eighties with a regular circle of longtime friends.
In 1948, Byron's engineering work took him to the Yakima Valley, where newly irrigated land was opening up. While at the same time living and working in Seattle, Byron invested in several large parcels which he and his Yakima partners planted by hand in peaches. Byron managed the orchards until the early 1980s, after some twenty-five years of harvesting peaches.
In addition to his many responsibilities, Byron actively supported his wife Joan in her career as a harpist, providing needed logistics. Nora Joan Clark, noted Seattle music educator, passed away in 2009. Byron was also preceded in death by his sisters Viola, Virginia, and Vivian Clark.
Byron is survived by his four children, three sons and a daughter, and their families. Byron's last year and a half were spent at Edmonds Landing Assisted Living where he walked to meals, enjoyed outings to the boat docks, and made many friends. Byron's family wishes to sincerely thank the staff of Edmonds Landing for the caring help given to their father. A family gathering, burial, and service with Military Honors was held on September 27 at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery, Seattle.
Published by The Seattle Times from Oct. 10 to Oct. 11, 2014.
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Partial obituary:
He was first employed with the Corps of Engineers in Seattle, but within several years was assigned to the Alaska Territory surveying and constructing airfields and other military installations. Byron was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska on Dec. 7, 1941, at the outbreak of World War II, and he continued service with the Army Engineers there for a number of months before he was reassigned back to the States and was then sent to Fort Belvoir, Maryland, for combat engineer training. He crossed the southern Pacific Ocean to Australia, where the American troops subsequently joined the Allies in the long Asian land campaign from India, through Burma to China, ultimately linking with Chinese Nationalist troops to push the Japanese out of Southeast Asia and China. He was stationed in Shanghai, China at war's end, and returned to the United States in 1946, maintaining reserve officer status up through the time of the Korean War.
Obituary published in the Yakima Herald Republic September 24, 2014
A graduate of the University of Washington, class of 1938, Byron Clark earned a degree in Civil Engineering, and began his long civil service career with the Army Corps of Engineers in Seattle. Byron's father, George A. Clark of Camden, NJ died in 1929 when Byron was just eleven. His mother, Anna Emelia Helander Clark, who lived to age 84, immigrated to Seattle in 1907 from the Åland Islands in the Baltic Sea. Byron was the youngest of four children, with three older sisters.
As part of his work Byron went to Anchorage early in 1941, built and shared a small house with friends, and continued his engineering work as a commissioned Army officer [Captain] at the outbreak of World War II. Part of his job was to do reconnaissance for airfields and possible railroad routes in Alaska. Byron also served during the War in Burma along the Ledo Road, and in parts of China. Later, Byron spent the bulk of his working years as a civil engineer for the US Coast Guard in Seattle. As a civilian, he managed and oversaw engineering work related to lighthouses, jettys, and other aids to navigation. In 1972, Byron was awarded the Oren Medal for his outstanding contribution in engineering for his work with the Coast Guard.
Byron and Joan Clark were married in 1948, having met on the slopes at Meany Ski Hut, near Stampede Pass. An avid outdoorsman, Byron joined the Seattle Mountaineers in 1938 and the same year became a member of the new cooperative for outdoor gear, REI - with REI number 52. Byron's original Swiss ice axe and some of his history is currently on display at REI's downtown Seattle store. A climber in his younger days, Byron took his family on countless outings: sailing, skiing, camping, hiking, and backpacking. He also led a number of Mountaineer outings, and later in life skied and hiked year round well into his eighties with a regular circle of longtime friends.
In 1948, Byron's engineering work took him to the Yakima Valley, where newly irrigated land was opening up. While at the same time living and working in Seattle, Byron invested in several large parcels which he and his Yakima partners planted by hand in peaches. Byron managed the orchards until the early 1980s, after some twenty-five years of harvesting peaches.
In addition to his many responsibilities, Byron actively supported his wife Joan in her career as a harpist, providing needed logistics. Nora Joan Clark, noted Seattle music educator, passed away in 2009. Byron was also preceded in death by his sisters Viola, Virginia, and Vivian Clark.
Byron is survived by his four children, three sons and a daughter, and their families. Byron's last year and a half were spent at Edmonds Landing Assisted Living where he walked to meals, enjoyed outings to the boat docks, and made many friends. Byron's family wishes to sincerely thank the staff of Edmonds Landing for the caring help given to their father. A family gathering, burial, and service with Military Honors was held on September 27 at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery, Seattle.
Published by The Seattle Times from Oct. 10 to Oct. 11, 2014.
*********************
Partial obituary:
He was first employed with the Corps of Engineers in Seattle, but within several years was assigned to the Alaska Territory surveying and constructing airfields and other military installations. Byron was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska on Dec. 7, 1941, at the outbreak of World War II, and he continued service with the Army Engineers there for a number of months before he was reassigned back to the States and was then sent to Fort Belvoir, Maryland, for combat engineer training. He crossed the southern Pacific Ocean to Australia, where the American troops subsequently joined the Allies in the long Asian land campaign from India, through Burma to China, ultimately linking with Chinese Nationalist troops to push the Japanese out of Southeast Asia and China. He was stationed in Shanghai, China at war's end, and returned to the United States in 1946, maintaining reserve officer status up through the time of the Korean War.
Obituary published in the Yakima Herald Republic September 24, 2014
Byron James Clark died on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at his residence in Edmonds. Born at his family home in Ballard on April 6, 1917, Byron lived to age 97 and a half, enjoying relatively good health until days before his passing. A lifetime resident of the Seattle area, Byron and his wife Joan raised their family in Innis Arden, north of Seattle, then moved to a home in Edmonds. There they welcomed many visitors and cared for each of their six grandchildren at various times.
A graduate of the University of Washington, class of 1938, Byron Clark earned a degree in Civil Engineering, and began his long civil service career with the Army Corps of Engineers in Seattle. Byron's father, George A. Clark of Camden, NJ died in 1929 when Byron was just eleven. His mother, Anna Emelia Helander Clark, who lived to age 84, immigrated to Seattle in 1907 from the Åland Islands in the Baltic Sea. Byron was the youngest of four children, with three older sisters.
As part of his work Byron went to Anchorage early in 1941, built and shared a small house with friends, and continued his engineering work as a commissioned Army officer [Captain] at the outbreak of World War II. Part of his job was to do reconnaissance for airfields and possible railroad routes in Alaska. Byron also served during the War in Burma along the Ledo Road, and in parts of China. Later, Byron spent the bulk of his working years as a civil engineer for the US Coast Guard in Seattle. As a civilian, he managed and oversaw engineering work related to lighthouses, jettys, and other aids to navigation. In 1972, Byron was awarded the Oren Medal for his outstanding contribution in engineering for his work with the Coast Guard.
Byron and Joan Clark were married in 1948, having met on the slopes at Meany Ski Hut, near Stampede Pass. An avid outdoorsman, Byron joined the Seattle Mountaineers in 1938 and the same year became a member of the new cooperative for outdoor gear, REI - with REI number 52. Byron's original Swiss ice axe and some of his history is currently on display at REI's downtown Seattle store. A climber in his younger days, Byron took his family on countless outings: sailing, skiing, camping, hiking, and backpacking. He also led a number of Mountaineer outings, and later in life skied and hiked year round well into his eighties with a regular circle of longtime friends.
In 1948, Byron's engineering work took him to the Yakima Valley, where newly irrigated land was opening up. While at the same time living and working in Seattle, Byron invested in several large parcels which he and his Yakima partners planted by hand in peaches. Byron managed the orchards until the early 1980s, after some twenty-five years of harvesting peaches.
In addition to his many responsibilities, Byron actively supported his wife Joan in her career as a harpist, providing needed logistics. Nora Joan Clark, noted Seattle music educator, passed away in 2009. Byron was also preceded in death by his sisters Viola, Virginia, and Vivian Clark.
Byron is survived by his four children, three sons and a daughter, and their families. Byron's last year and a half were spent at Edmonds Landing Assisted Living where he walked to meals, enjoyed outings to the boat docks, and made many friends. Byron's family wishes to sincerely thank the staff of Edmonds Landing for the caring help given to their father. A family gathering, burial, and service with Military Honors was held on September 27 at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery, Seattle.
Published by The Seattle Times from Oct. 10 to Oct. 11, 2014.
*********************
Partial obituary:
He was first employed with the Corps of Engineers in Seattle, but within several years was assigned to the Alaska Territory surveying and constructing airfields and other military installations. Byron was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska on Dec. 7, 1941, at the outbreak of World War II, and he continued service with the Army Engineers there for a number of months before he was reassigned back to the States and was then sent to Fort Belvoir, Maryland, for combat engineer training. He crossed the southern Pacific Ocean to Australia, where the American troops subsequently joined the Allies in the long Asian land campaign from India, through Burma to China, ultimately linking with Chinese Nationalist troops to push the Japanese out of Southeast Asia and China. He was stationed in Shanghai, China at war's end, and returned to the United States in 1946, maintaining reserve officer status up through the time of the Korean War.
Obituary published in the Yakima Herald Republic September 24, 2014
A graduate of the University of Washington, class of 1938, Byron Clark earned a degree in Civil Engineering, and began his long civil service career with the Army Corps of Engineers in Seattle. Byron's father, George A. Clark of Camden, NJ died in 1929 when Byron was just eleven. His mother, Anna Emelia Helander Clark, who lived to age 84, immigrated to Seattle in 1907 from the Åland Islands in the Baltic Sea. Byron was the youngest of four children, with three older sisters.
As part of his work Byron went to Anchorage early in 1941, built and shared a small house with friends, and continued his engineering work as a commissioned Army officer [Captain] at the outbreak of World War II. Part of his job was to do reconnaissance for airfields and possible railroad routes in Alaska. Byron also served during the War in Burma along the Ledo Road, and in parts of China. Later, Byron spent the bulk of his working years as a civil engineer for the US Coast Guard in Seattle. As a civilian, he managed and oversaw engineering work related to lighthouses, jettys, and other aids to navigation. In 1972, Byron was awarded the Oren Medal for his outstanding contribution in engineering for his work with the Coast Guard.
Byron and Joan Clark were married in 1948, having met on the slopes at Meany Ski Hut, near Stampede Pass. An avid outdoorsman, Byron joined the Seattle Mountaineers in 1938 and the same year became a member of the new cooperative for outdoor gear, REI - with REI number 52. Byron's original Swiss ice axe and some of his history is currently on display at REI's downtown Seattle store. A climber in his younger days, Byron took his family on countless outings: sailing, skiing, camping, hiking, and backpacking. He also led a number of Mountaineer outings, and later in life skied and hiked year round well into his eighties with a regular circle of longtime friends.
In 1948, Byron's engineering work took him to the Yakima Valley, where newly irrigated land was opening up. While at the same time living and working in Seattle, Byron invested in several large parcels which he and his Yakima partners planted by hand in peaches. Byron managed the orchards until the early 1980s, after some twenty-five years of harvesting peaches.
In addition to his many responsibilities, Byron actively supported his wife Joan in her career as a harpist, providing needed logistics. Nora Joan Clark, noted Seattle music educator, passed away in 2009. Byron was also preceded in death by his sisters Viola, Virginia, and Vivian Clark.
Byron is survived by his four children, three sons and a daughter, and their families. Byron's last year and a half were spent at Edmonds Landing Assisted Living where he walked to meals, enjoyed outings to the boat docks, and made many friends. Byron's family wishes to sincerely thank the staff of Edmonds Landing for the caring help given to their father. A family gathering, burial, and service with Military Honors was held on September 27 at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery, Seattle.
Published by The Seattle Times from Oct. 10 to Oct. 11, 2014.
*********************
Partial obituary:
He was first employed with the Corps of Engineers in Seattle, but within several years was assigned to the Alaska Territory surveying and constructing airfields and other military installations. Byron was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska on Dec. 7, 1941, at the outbreak of World War II, and he continued service with the Army Engineers there for a number of months before he was reassigned back to the States and was then sent to Fort Belvoir, Maryland, for combat engineer training. He crossed the southern Pacific Ocean to Australia, where the American troops subsequently joined the Allies in the long Asian land campaign from India, through Burma to China, ultimately linking with Chinese Nationalist troops to push the Japanese out of Southeast Asia and China. He was stationed in Shanghai, China at war's end, and returned to the United States in 1946, maintaining reserve officer status up through the time of the Korean War.
Obituary published in the Yakima Herald Republic September 24, 2014
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