CLARK, DAVID JAMES (1945 – 2025)
Dave passed away peacefully at age 79 on March 27, 2025 in Vulcan, Alberta. He is survived and missed by his loving wife Edna, daughter Christine (Dave), granddaughters Emma and Sadie, and son Mike (Kelli). He is also survived by sisters-in-laws Judy Sanderson and Janet Clark, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his parents Leslie (Jim) and Helen Clark, his brother Dale Clark, in-laws Jack and Helen Sanderson, and brother-in-law Pete Sanderson.
Born in Vulcan on December 23, 1945, Dave was the youngest son of Jim and Helen. He grew up on the family farm west of Vulcan along with his older brother Dale.
Dave attended Hazel Cameron Elementary and County Central High School where he met and started dating Edna. He graduated from Olds College in 1967 and worked for the Alberta Wheat Pool in Dawson Creek and Camrose. Dave and Edna (Sanderson) married in Champion on June 29, 1968.
In 1969 Dave began farming in the Stavely-Claresholm area while Edna taught school in Champion. They purchased a farm east of Claresholm in 1972, where they resided until moving to the Clark farm in Vulcan in 1978. Dave, Edna, Christine and Michael became the fourth generation to live on the family farm. Dave took pride in expanding the farm and diversifying with owning Westfield Petroleum Products, an Esso Bulk Fuel and Fertilizer station.
Dave was active in all sports, notably he was passionate about curling (Canadian Legion Dominion Champions in 1980, runner-up in 1982), badminton, swimming, judo, scuba diving and skiing. He also loved driving his kids (and his nephews, and their friends) to any sport: hockey, swimming, rodeo, figure skating, basketball, volleyball, and skiing.
Dave was an active member of the Vulcan and Champion communities, serving in roles such as Vulcan County Councillor, Chair of the Vulcan Board of Education, and Chair of the Vulcan Hospital Board. He also participated in the Vulcan and Champion United Church boards, and the Doctor Recruitment and Retention Committee. He became involved with the Little Bow Social Credit Party, and served as president for 9 years. He followed Ray Speaker to the Representative Party and was president of the local constituency association. Dave was also active in the Stavely Masons, and was on the University of Lethbridge Senate from 1999-2005.
After Dave became a paraplegic in 1995 following a motor vehicle accident, he continued to farm with his son Mike, assisted by a lift in his truck and modifications to his van, swimming with his friend John Dyck at accessible pools in High River and Claresholm, and vacationing with his family in Mexico. He faced the challenges from his injuries with grace, humour and courage.
Dave’s family is especially grateful for the nurses, health care aids and all the staff at Vulcan Extendicare, as well as the Home Care nurses and his physicians who provided outstanding care for him in his last few years.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Champion Community Hall (106 2nd Street, Champion, Alberta) on Saturday, April 5 at 12:30pm. Lunch to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Spinal Cord Injury Alberta (https://sci-ab.ca/donate/) or the Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation (https://www.vchwfoundation.com/donate-now/).