Obituary: Clem John Clark

Clem John Clark, son of Roger B. and Janet M. Clark, was born at Pioneers Hospital on March 9, 1985. For 25 years he fought a never-ending battle with cystic fibrosis but it never stopped him from living his life to the fullest.
At an early age Clem was fixing vacuum cleaners, seeing how his remote-control cars ran, taking wheels off everything even the trash cans to make go-carts (much to the displeasure of his dad) and making origami frogs in church to entertain the children around him. His hands were always doing something.
Clem attended Meeker Elementary School, Barone Middle School and Meeker High School in Meeker, graduating in 2003. He played basketball in middle school and was on the golf team in high school. He also was on the yearbook staff as a photographer. He continued to enjoy photography and loved taking pictures of all his friends.
After high school, he went to Denver Automotive and Diesel College and graduated as a mechanic for cars and diesel trucks with a 4.0 average by working for a Goodyear store. Clem worked for a short time as a mechanic at the Robinson Brick Company in Denver until his health forced him to return to Meeker. The clean air of home helped him improve his health, then Clem worked for Rio Blanco County as a mechanic.
In July 2008, Clem received a double-lung transplant and for the first time in years he could breathe without the help of oxygen. For over a year, he really lived and breathed life to the fullest — four-wheeling, snowmobiling, skiing and just enjoying all life had to offer. His love of Dr. Pepper, M&Ms (plain or peanut) and dry-roasted peanuts was known to all his friends and medical people.
On May 17, Clem lost his battle with cystic fibrosis at Pioneers Medical Center in Meeker, the town he loved and always returned to. Right up to the end he was planning for the future by designing a house he was going to build and looking at new skis and toy hauler trailers.
It would please the family that donations be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation so other cystic fibrosis people can live their lives to the fullest or to Pioneers Medical Center where Clem was able to enjoy his last few weeks close to family, friends and so many caring supportive people that worked at Pioneers. Also remember to sign up on your driver’s license to become and organ donor.
A “Celebration of Life Lived to the Fullest” will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 28 at the Fairfield Center. Casual dress is encouraged — T-shirts, jeans, baseball caps. Bring memories to share, food Clem liked to eat and enjoy an afternoon remembering him.
You are also welcome to attend a Rosary for Clem at Holy Family Catholic Church at 10:15 a.m. on May 28 and a funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Meeker Cemetery following the Mass.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Colorado Chapter, 1355 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80222, phone (303) 296-6610, toll-free (877) 296-6923
Pioneers Medical Center, Attn: Margie Joy, 345 Cleveland St., Meeker, CO 81641, 878-5047.