Richard Michael ”Mickey” Clark died June 24, 2004, at home in
Morgan Hill after a courageous 4 1/2-year battle with cancer.
Richard Michael ”Mickey” Clark died June 24, 2004, at home in Morgan Hill after a courageous 4 1/2-year battle with cancer. He was 51.
Born on Dec. 19, 1952, at Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco, Mr. Clark grew up in San Jose and attended Los Gatos High School and San Diego State University.
He loved sports – especially baseball and judo, in which he earned a black belt – and, as a child, discovered a gift for music, playing the guitar, clarinet and piano. For his 50th birthday, Mr. Clark’s family and friends gave him a Taylor Limited Edition 12-string guitar.
Mr. Clark worked as a building contractor for 20 years and co-owned and operated Pyramid Homes of San Jose with his father Richard Clark and Jim and Randy Near.
Later, he owned and operated Pacific Home Development in Morgan Hill and made a name for himself in custom home building and remodeling. He also once served as president of the Building Industry Association of Santa Clara County.
His life reflected a deep love of God. He was involved in the music ministry for several churches, where he also served as a youth pastor and led Bible studies.
His faith moved him to write music, much of which he played and recorded as a means of worship. He became involved in the ministry of Calvary Chapel in San Diego and served as assistant pastor of Calvary Chapel in the Imperial Valley, where he met his wife Yolanda, to whom he was married for 27 years.
An avid outdoorsman, Mr. Clark took helicopter skiing trips to Canada with his father, enjoyed fishing, backpacking with his son Daniel, abalone diving with his friend Rick and annual trips to Maui with his wife. He also loved to cook.
Mr. Clark was a son, a brother, a husband, a father and a grandfather. He was an uncle, a nephew, a cousin and a friend. He was a man whose integrity and unfailing honesty touched everyone who knew him.
His generous heart and gentle spirit will be missed by family and friends. He inspired all who knew him to live good lives and be better people.
He is survived by his wife, Yolanda Clark; daughter, Marlyss; son, Daniel, and granddaughter, Marisa, all of Morgan Hill; father and mother, Richard and Vickie Clark of Carmel; sister, Diane Williams and brother-in-law Tom Williams, nephew. Tommy; and niece Shannon, all of San Jose; brother, Ken Clark of San Jose; nephew, Jesse Dantzler of Watsonville; mother-in-law, Mary Quesada of Holtville; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
His family wishes to thank those who knew and loved Mr. Clark for their prayers, love and support. Hundreds of people attended a memorial service for him June 28 at Calvary Chapel of San Jose.
To honor him, the Calvary Chapel of San Jose will complete a professionally-recorded CD of Mr. Clark’s original music, which was left unfinished due to his illness.
Contributions may be made to the RMC Worship Project, Calvary Chapel, 1175 Hillsdale Ave., San Jose, CA 95118; (408) 269-8331.
