Rodney Thomas Clark

Rodney Thomas Clark, 94, passed away on March 9, 2024 in Idaho Falls, Idaho surrounded by his loving family. He was born, the seventh of eight children, on September 17, 1929 in St. Anthony, Idaho to LuVern T. and Cynthia Bigler Clark and, as a 10-year-old, moved with his family to Pocatello. He had a strong work ethic throughout his life starting as an employee of the Union Pacific Railroad when he was a young teenager. After graduating from Pocatello High School in 1947, he demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit and brilliant mind for business by buying and selling cars to put himself through college. On the weekends, he drove cars across the country and back, returning just in time for classes on Monday morning.

He graduated from the University of Utah in 1955 with a B.S. in Accounting. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force as an officer. He flew jet fighters, multi-engine jets, conventional planes, and helicopters and was an instructor in the USAF Air Officers Candidate School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX.

He married Kay Jean Watson on February 27, 1957 in Big Springs, Texas. They were sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on March 16, 1957.

He was raised in the real estate business, learning about sales as well as managing rentals. After leaving the Air Force 1958, he and Kay returned to Pocatello where he joined his father at Clark Real Estate and earned his broker’s license. He held numerous offices in the Greater Pocatello Association of Realtors, as well as in the state, regional, and national associations.

He was generous helping others put a deal together or start a new company. As the owner of Clark Real Estate, he trained and mentored dozens of real estate agents, many of whom became successful brokers with their own agencies. He has owned and operated businesses and real estate in Idaho, Utah, Arizona, California, Kansas, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Texas.

His love for business was matched only by his love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for his family. As a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he served two full-time missions in South Africa, one from 1948 to 1951, and in the Johannesburg temple with his wife, from 1985 to 1986. He also served as a sealer in the Idaho Falls temple and as a temple ordinance worker in the Salt Lake temple. Rodney enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren at his cabin in Island Park and on many family vacations. He loved to travel, and together with his wife, saw most of the world.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings: Mark, Robert, Vernetta, Nelle, Stephen, Maurine, Althea, and William; his son, Cole, and his son-in-law, Philip Hill. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, his children Callie (Dan) Hatch, Karen Hill, and Kevin Clark, 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Though his mind became clouded with dementia, he continued to express joy and gratitude for a wonderful life.

Funeral services to honor his legacy will be held on Saturday, March 16th, at 11:00 am at Manning-Wheatley Funeral Home with visitation starting at 9:30. Interment will be at Mountain View Cemetery.