Michael Allen Clark
March 9, 1952 – October 15, 2024
Michael Allen Clark (72) passed away on October 15, 2024. Hewas the son of John Michael Clark and Katherine Elaine Beardand brother of Scott Joseph Clark.
In his youth, Mike would often wet a hook and bring a fish home for dinner. Mike’s first fish was from the waters of Hardscrabble Creek, Utah. Mike’s teenaged years were spent hauling countless bales of hay and herding the family sheep.
He graduated from Clearfield High School in Clearfield, Utah where he was selected as a Sterling Scholar. After high school he attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah before he served honorably as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Taipei, Taiwan Mission. During his mission he became proficient speaking, reading, and writing Mandarin Chinese.
After Mike’s mission he returned to BYU to complete a bachelor’s degree. He then chose to pursue a Juris Doctorate from George Washington Law School in Washington, D.C. After law school he returned to Utah to prepare for the Utah State Bar exam which passed on his first attempt. He practiced law for a few years.
Mike was offered a position as a delivery driver for Orson Gygi Company of Salt Lake City, Utah that was more rewarding and allowed flexibility for his desire to travel the world. His many travels included summitting Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania and riding the Orient Express from Istanbul, Turkey to Paris, France.
Mike often explored the Unita Mountains in Utah, where he hiked the Highline Trail beginning to end several times. He summited Kings Peak, Utah. He hiked from the North to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizona. He traveled from the South Rim to Phantom Ranch multiple times. He often traveled by train on his way to his adventures.
Mike was a lifelong learner and avid reader who could be frequently found with his nose in a book. Mike was a Civil War buff who researched the battles and explored the battle sites.
Mike’s desire to learn carried over in his devotion to the Lord. He knew the Scriptures and was an excellent Church speaker and teacher. He served in many Church callings including as a Bishopric Counselor and a High Counselor.
Mike participated in the election process from a young age, assisting candidates at offices and polling stations on election days.
Mike was a fun uncle and would joke with his nephews and nieces about “them guys.”
In Mike’s last years he was slowed in his ability to get outdoors due to Parkinson’s disease. His adventures weren’t quite as grand, but he enjoyed walking his dog, Buddy, and tending to his bee hives.
Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents, father and mother, his stepfather Dennis Hadlock, and his stepmother Emily Clark. Mike is survived by his brother Scott (Debra) Clark, stepsisters Vickie and Jackie, Nephews Scott, Jr. and Steven, and nieces Jennifer and Mary.