With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved father, George Wayne Clark, 83, of Irasburg, Vermont. George died peacefully on March 20, 2023, surrounded by loving family, at North Country Hospital in Newport, Vermont.

George was born on March 2, 1940, in Keene, New Hampshire, to Carl Alfred Clark and Clara Margaret Flagg. He grew up around the dairy farms where his father worked in Cheshire and Grafton counties in New Hampshire. The Clark family eventually settled on Straw Road in Hopkinton, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, where George followed in his father's footsteps by working at the Gilmore and Maplewood dairy farms. He was praised by one of the farmers as the best hired hand he ever had.  In his early twenties, George worked for the New Hampshire State Highway department, becoming a highway inspector. Later he worked for Pike Industries as an asphalt plant operator in various locations, helping to pave the newly constructed Interstates 89, 93, and 91. In October 1968, at the age of 28, George moved his family to Irasburg, Vermont, to manage the Burkewitz Breezy Valley Farms. Here he was able to acquire in-depth knowledge of dairy herd management. In 1973, George began employment as an artificial inseminator working for Jim Young of West Glover. After several years George purchased Young's business and under the new name Genetic Opportunities, began selling genetics and organizing breeding schools to train farmers to artificially breed their own cows.  His sales area included all of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Southern Maine.  George was well known and liked by the many northern New England farmers he served.

As a teenager, George was active in the Salvation Army, playing the baritone horn in the Concord Salvation Army Corps Band. He always fondly remembered the Salvation Army's lively summer camp meetings at Old Orchard Beach, Maine. On November 3, 1956, George married his high school sweetheart, Ella Pearl Drew. They raised their five children in the Christian faith, training both through instruction and by example. In the early 1960's George and Ella regularly sang gospel duets in the Contoocook Baptist Church, with Ella accompanying them on the guitar.  George passed his musical heritage to his children, who all went on to play musical instruments and sing in churches. Even in his retirement years, George sang solos in church, completely from memory. At Bel-Aire Center, George shared his love for God and music by his cheery disposition and an ever-ready tune on his lips.

George enjoyed hiking the White Mountains of New Hampshire, summiting  most of the 4,000-footers. He passed this passion on to his children through frequent family hiking trips. George loved woodworking, gardening, tree planting, and digging. He was also a do-it-yourself carpenter, rebuilding one home and building three new houses from the ground up. George valued Christian service, participating in various building projects at Irasburg Grace Brethren Church, River of Life Camp in Irasburg, Island Pond Grace Brethren Church, a building project in Taiwan, and a medical construction project in Honduras. He never ran from a challenge and loved being told that something was impossible so he could prove otherwise.  George inspired excellence in his children, who entered the diverse fields of computers, aviation, engineering, nursing, and law enforcement.  George is predeceased by his parents; his beloved wife Ella; his infant children, Richard and Bruce; his brother, Rev. Albert Clark, of Dalton, Georgia; his sister and brother-in-law, retired Salvation Army Commissioners Frances and Albert Scott, of Clearwater, Florida; his brother-in-law, retired Salvation Army Major Chet Emmons, of Belgrade Stream, Maine; and his daughter-in-law Susan Clark, late spouse of his son, Wayne Clark.

George is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Charlotte and Charles Paul, of Hopkinton, New Hampshire; his sister, retired Salvation Army Major Joyce Emmons, of Belgrade Stream, Maine; his son, Wayne Clark of Rindge, New Hampshire, and fiancee Kathy Gallant, of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada; his daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Michael Sanville, of Irasburg, Vermont; his son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Chris Clark, of Wake Forest, North Carolina; his son and daughter-in-law, Wesley and Karen Clark, of Weatherford, Texas; his son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Catherine Clark, of Baring Plantation, Maine; his eleven grandchildren; his twenty-nine great grandchildren; and his many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in George's name to River of Life Camp, 1145 Rt 14, Irasburg , Vermont 05845 .

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday May 26, 2023 at the Irasburg Village Cemetery with Pastor George Lawson officiating. On-line condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.