Gerald Dean Clark

Life and Legacy of Gerald Dean Clark

Born January 15th 1942 in Berrien Springs, Michigan to Kenneth Irvin Clark and Grace Violet Edwards-Clark.

Gerry spent his early childhood in Southern CA. He graduated in 1959 from Berrien Springs High School in MI. He received his BS in 1964 from Michigan State University, graduating on a ROTC scholarship.

After graduation he went to pilot training at Williams Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona. While in training he met and married Linnea Hedlund. His first duty assignment was Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii where he was assigned to fly the C-124 Globemaster cargo plane. While living in Hawaii, Gerald and Linnea had a son, Kristofor August 22nd 1968. During his tour of duty he flew cargo missions into and out of Vietnam and numerous other southeast asia locations. His next assignment was in the Air Force Reserve at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, where he flew the C-9 Nightingale medevac aircraft. This assignment was short lived because he got a job offer from Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) in California, and he jumped at the opportunity. While in California he continued his service in the Air Force Reserves as a pilot of the C-141 Starlifter at Norton Air Force Base. He flew C-141's all over the world, and completed his service in the Air Force in 1976.

After the Air Force Gerald ran an air charter service in Temecula, California, flew US Mail, and ultimately landed the job chief pilot for Butterfield Savings and Loan in Orange County, California.

Sept. 20 1986 he married Maureen Sukut. Gerry and Maureen headed off to a new adventure. From 1988-1990 Gerry flew military personnel from Kwajalein to Johnson Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

The next stop was settling in Grants Pass, OR for 25 years from 1990-2015. During this time they renovated and turned a beautiful historic home built in 1905 into a Bed & Breakfast.

In 1996 they took a break from the B & B and went off to the Philippines for 6 years as full time Missionaries. Gerry would fly for Pacific Missionary Aviation as part of the Flying Medical Samaritans (PMA) where he flew medic rescues and emergency relief shipments. They also served the children in the mission orphanage in a remote village on the Island of Mindoro. It was during this time where God spoke to Gerry about the problems of orphan children.

When they returned to Grants Pass they started the Home For Good foundation to support adoption programs globally. They also opened up a successful thrift store in Grants Pass to help fund the operations.

Gerry spent countless hours writing and having a book published titled, Adoption and the Gospel. This book is still available on Amazon and free digital versions are available. This book spread the word where seeds of his vision grew in places like Uganda and Eastern Europe. His legacy continues in places like the Philippines.

After the death of his wife Maureen he went back to the Philippines in 2018 with hopes to continue Missionary work and work to better the lives of aged out orphans. Covid and other circumstances altered those plans and he returned to the USA in February 2023.

He was preceded in death by his Father Kenneth in 1971, Mother Grace in 1999, sisters Diana, Karen, brothers Roger & Edward and wife Maureen E. Clark May 1, 2017.

He was survived by his son SMSgt Kristofor D. Clark, US Air Force (Retired), daughter-in-law Maryann Clark, step daughter Kellie Stafford, her husband Joe Stafford and Grand daughters Nicole Stafford and Corey Stafford-Drew. Siblings Dianne, Allen & Mary as well as many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of cards and flowers please consider a donation in his memory to Christian Alliance for Orphans. CAFO.org