Mark "Pops" Steven Clark

Mark “Pops” Steven Clark was born January 20, 1950, in McMinnville, Oregon, to George Mather and Nila Elnora (Goin) Clark. The baby of the family, he grew up in the Alsea area out in the country where he and his older siblings played in the woods for fun. Eventually the family moved to Albany and he graduated from West Albany High School. Pops had a very strong work ethic, never calling out sick and always holding down a job. He worked for a wrecking yard for many years, working on the cars and learning a lot about them. Sharing his love and knowledge of cars, he worked at Knechts in Albany for 17 years. His love of hot rodding led him to racing during the early 80’s and recently he was drawn back to racing, supporting his son in the sport at the track in Lebanon. Pops loved his family and would follow along and support whatever his kids were doing, giving advice about everything even if he knew nothing about it before. When his son Darron was into rodeos and bull riding, Pops was there supporting and advising. When Darron was wrestling professionally, he liked being involved including once when he bravely took an "incinerator" from Jason Sullivan. Pops was definitely all-in when it came to his family, he loved them all deeply. As a man of simple means, Pops didn’t need a lot to be happy, he just loved to laugh and have fun. He found joy in the country life, loving his animals, being outdoors in nature, and sharing his vast knowledge of trees and plants. The beach was very special to him and he often spent weekends there, breathing in the ocean air and enjoying time with family. Being a part of the Gypsy Joker motorcycle club was something Pops particularly enjoyed. Although he did not drink, he especially loved bartending at club events. He thoroughly enjoyed the socializing that it allowed as he served the others. Pops was a people person and did not like being alone, always surrounded by close friends, fellow club members, and especially family. Pops definitely traveled his own road at his own pace through life and was doing what he loved when he passed away suddenly on August 26, 2019, near Silverton, Oregon. The void he leaves in the lives of those that loved him will be hard to fill, but his larger than life memory will be a cherished comfort to them all. Pops was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his children Steven Clark, Darron (Kaylynn) Clark, and Kathe (Jim) Cupps, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Celebration of Life will be held Friday, September 6, at 2 pm at Weddle Funeral Service in Stayton.