Charlie Clark, 80, Dies; Lived in Sitka Since ’79

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Wednesday, 22 May 2024 13:55

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Charlie Clark

Charlie Clark, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and greatly respected member of the Southeast Alaskan community, passed away in Sitka on April 19, 2024, at the age of 80.
He leaves behind a legacy of friendship, dedication, and an adventurous spirit that touched the lives of all who knew him.
Born in Colorado and raised in Northern California, Charlie developed a deep love and respect for the outdoors from an early age. Whether it was hunting in the Northern California Sierra Nevada mountains when he was young or enjoying the untamed beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, he found solace and joy in nature’s embrace.
His passion for the outdoors was infectious, and he shared his enthusiasm with his wife Jan, the love of his life, and his family and friends, creating cherished memories that would last a lifetime. In high school he was a four-sport athlete playing football, basketball, baseball, and track. He continued his basketball career while attending Chico State University.
Shortly after high school he married his high school sweetheart, they had three beautiful children and made their home in Southeast Alaska.
Professionally, Charlie pursued many trades, including bucking hay, conducting on the White Pass Railroad, and working on the Alaskan North Slope. Later, he became a highly skilled electrician, and served as a key member of the Alaskan chapter of IBEW 1547. Charlie contributed to complicated wiring projects including those at Sitka Sound Seafoods, Green Lake Dam and Juneau’s hospital and laying electrical lines to numerous islands – including his own!
Charlie and Jan had moved to Sitka in 1979, and after he retired early, they operated a water taxi business. His commitment and knowledge of local waters were well known throughout the community, earning him the respect of many clients over the years. Dependable, he took pride in never stranding a client, regardless of inclement weather or mechanical issues with his watercraft.
It can be said Charming Charlie lived a charmed life. He survived a train wreck involving asbestos-filled flatbed cars in a deep ravine in the 1960s, a crazy boat wreck with his wife Jan in the 1980’s, and he nearly shot himself with a pistol that had been recalled for safety reasons.
Above all, Charlie was a devoted husband to his wife, Jan. Whether camping, boating, hunting, fishing, exploring Southeast Alaska, or simply spending time at home with their dogs, Charlie enjoyed every moment spent together. His love for her knew no bounds, and he worked tirelessly to provide for her and ensure their happiness.
Charlie was preceded in death by his father Cliff, mother Alice, and his brother George.
He is survived by Jan, his wife of 44 years; his three children, Cheston of Sitka, and Bradley (Carolyn), and Katrina (Daniel), of Renton, Washington; four grandchildren, Chatham and Neva of Sitka and Isabella, and Brayden of Renton; and two nieces, Pam and Cathleen, of California.
A celebration of Charlie’s life will be held in the near future.

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