Services for Cleveland Elem. principal Ed Clark

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Services were held on Jan. 27 in Ferron for Ed Clark. Clark has been the principal of Cleveland Elementary since 2003. A large crowd came out in support of Clark’s family. Clark was known for his kind and friendly manner with all the students in his school.
Family friend Russ Oakeson shared some stories of the many good times he had with his friend Ed. The two families came to Ferron in 1988 and became neighbors. Ed had a great love for old things and collected everything. Russ and Ed once took a trip to the obsidian beds near Kanosh and they had a great time collecting obsidian rock.
Oakeson said he enjoyed serving in church callings with Ed and called Ed a great organizer. “Ed was always there when you needed help. He would stop what he was doing and help you out. I will treasure our fishing trips. Ed was like a big brother to me. He had a love in his heart for his boys and family.”
Oakeson spoke words of comfort to the family instructing them to rely on their Savior to lift them up in this time of pain and loneliness. He encouraged them to serve others as a way to help them with their own grief.
Brother Neil Critchlow spoke at the services. He said he was from Grantsville. Ed was from Grantsville before moving to Ferron. Ed always had nothing but praise for the community of Ferron. Ed loved Ferron. Critchlow said Ed was a big man with a big heart. When Ed met his wife Tracy one of the first things he wanted Neil to do was to meet her. “Tracy is a wonderful lady and we knew Ed had found the right lady to keep him under control. The fourth of July parade just won’t be the same without Ed,” said Critchlow. He wants the family to know they are always welcome and they want them to be a part of their lives even though Ed is gone now. Critchlow said when Ed arrived at the other side, he was greeted by family members who had gone before. His parents and others. “Death is not the end. It is just putting out the candle, because the dawn has come,” quoted Critchlow. “Ed has a wonderful family here in Ferron. Ed Clark was successful because he has the respect of friends and the love of a great family.”
Ferron Stake President David Bennion said he enjoyed Ed Clark. Ed had a way of making you feel special. He always gave his undivided attention to you. He was a stalwart man. He always magnified his church callings. “I appreciated Ed’s support. I appreciated his service. He served and loved everyone he could. He served those elementary school students. Ed continues to serve those that have gone before. Things will not be easy for the family, but you have a lot of people who love your family and will help. Bennion said he has a love of the gospel, he’s thankful for his Savior. He thanked everyone for their attendance at the funeral services and for their many acts of kindness since Ed’s death. “Keep this family in your prayers,” instructed Bennion.
Ed Clark was buried in the Ferron Cemetery.
Kirk Sitterud is the principal for the Emery County School district. He talked of Ed Clark and his contribution to Emery County and its schools. “It is with deepest regret that the Emery County School District recognizes the tragic loss of Ed Clark, Principal at Cleveland Elementary, and the District Career and Technical Education Supervisor. Clark started his career with the Emery County School District in 1986 as a vocational teacher at San Rafael Junior High School, and then became the Supervisor of Vocational Education in 1992. He was then given the added assignment to be the principal at Cleveland Elementary in 2003. His career with the School District spanned 24.5 years. As Vocational Supervisor, Ed directed many important programs in the district that were intended to prepare students for real’world job skills, in addition to helping students be prepared for post’secondary education experiences. He also led the district through major program changes that were mandated by the State Office of Education beginning in the early 90s and still continue today. These were difficult times for Career and Technical Education in the State due to the shift of focus away from Career Programs in favor of increased college preparation and academic rigor. During his tenure Mr. Clark continued to be a strong voice for career preparation and job’related programs.
“While Mr. Clark had little experience with elementary programs when he took on the assignment as principal at Cleveland Elementary, he learned quickly to depend on the expert teachers and staff at the school and became a strong force for improved academic success for the students at the school. In cooperation with the staff at the school he promoted the use of student achievement data to drive teaching and to work for increased student test scores ‘ the school recently being recognized with a national award for outstanding achievement in academic success. Of all the statements made over the last few days about Mr. Clark’s accomplishments, the greatest complement of all was the statement made by someone on the staff at the school. Mr. Clark knew each child by name, and cared deeply about every one of them. We want to recognize and pay honor to Mr. Ed Clark and express our deepest sympathy to his family.
“He will be truly missed,” said Sitterud along with the Emery County Board of Education members Laurel Johansen, Royd Hatt, Marie Johnson, Sam Singleton and Nanette Tanner.