Charles Gahlen Clark

Charles Gahlen Clark, 70, of Big Sandy, passed away Tuesday, August 24, 2021. He was born May 28, 1942 in Kern County, California.

Charles was preceded in death by his infant son, Cary Clark; parents, Jim and Mavis Clark of Gladewater, Texas; and brother, Mike Clark of Fredericksburg, Texas.

He is survived by his daughter, Jessia Mutke and husband, David; and their children Ezrie, Jude, Leland, Sophie, Evie and Steffan of Plano, Texas; son, Paul Clark and wife, Brandy, and their children Esie, Elijah and Elena of Kaufman, Texas; his siblings, Barbara Mye of Carry, North Carolina; James Clark Jr. of Elgin, Texas; Dick Clark of Center, Texas; Pat Clark of New Diana, Texas; and Anita Griffin of Tyler, Texas.

Charles served in the United States Army as a communication specialist where he received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and was Honorably Discharged in 1976. He also served as a Smoke Jumper and as a highly trained fire fighter for the Forest Service. He was a person who could sustain himself with what the earth provided and was an avid fisherman and hunter. He respected nature in any of its forms and loved animals. The artist in him found many venues of expression over his lifetime. He was a wood crafter and many people will remember him for his beautiful, hand hewn custom furniture.

He was a deeply spiritual man who was able to see truth and value in the many traditions that surrounded him. As an old-school mountaineer, he taught his children how to be industrious, how to use a pocket knife, build a fire, plant a garden, polish their boots and survive the wilderness. Like many people, he was deeply flawed and existentially tortured; but as his life drew to a close, he fought hard to make peace with his regrets. In doing so, he gave his children great gifts; of knowing they were loved, and of realizing the many strengths that they inherited from him