Richard Lee Clark, 79, of Bettendorf, died Friday, April 18, 2025, at the Clarissa Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf, surrounded by his family after a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Bettendorf, on Friday, May 2, at 10 a.m., followed by a luncheon. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday, May 1, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A private interment ceremony will be held at Glendale Cemetery in LeClaire at a later date. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home of Bettendorf is assisting the family with arrangements.
Richard (“Dick”) was born on March 3, 1946, in Davenport, the third child of Henry and Arlene Meyer Clark. He married Jacquelyn (“Jackie”) Ann Donnelly on April 12, 1975, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt (they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary the week of his passing).
Dick began his education in the one room schoolhouse on his family’s farm. He then attended Cody School, Bettendorf High School, and finally Iowa State University where he graduated with a degree in economics.
Dick served the community as a financial planner/tax preparer for over 40 years. Tax time was especially busy, with Dick and Jackie’s three boys (Eric, Michael, and Alec) to raise, along with many nieces and nephews, then grandchildren, coming into their home for family visits. Although his initial intention after college was to teach math, he instead mentored his relatives … with many of his young relatives achieving noteworthy professions because of his mentoring.
When Dick was only 6 years old, he and his three siblings were stricken with polio – in the days before a vaccine. Although he was physically affected by the disease, it did not prevent him from having an active life. He was especially enthusiastic when it came to sports - participating and coaching several teams. He shared his love of sports with his sons who participated in baseball, basketball, football, and track in high school and college. Dick also served as the statistician for the Pleasant Valley High School boys’ basketball team and was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan.
For enjoyment, Dick loved to play all sorts of games but especially those including cards. He and Jackie belonged to a card club – a group of folks connected to the farming community – for nearly 40 years.
The love of his life was family - his wife Jackie, their children and grandchildren. Dick and Jackie spent countless hours taking care of their grandchildren, going to their activities, hosting family dinners, or creating fun learning opportunities at their home.
Survivors include his wife Jackie, his sons and daughters-in-law Eric (Cherie) and granddaughters Cassidy, Candace and Carey of Huntertown, Ind.; Michael “Mike” (Rebecca) and grandchildren Ezra, Parker, Callum and Elthea of Davenport; and Alec (Ashly) and grandchildren Brooklyn, Theodore and Matthew of Mediapolis. He is also survived by his mother, Arlene Meyer Clark, LeClaire, and siblings Eldon (Carol), LeClaire; Beverly (Richard) Clark Floss, Baxter; James, Chelsea, Mich.; and Joni (Ronald) Swanson, Northbrook, Ill. He is further survived by his brother-in-law Robert “Bob” (Lynn) Donnelly, Clinton, and sisters-in-law Margaret “Peggy” McAvan, DeWitt and Tracy (Mark) Fisher, Davenport, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins from across the country.
He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Clark, his in-laws Cal and Marge Donnelly, and a brother-in-law, Dale McAvan.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Dick’s honor to the Joan of Arc Catholic School Foundation – www.sjafdn.org Ph.# 563-343-2641.
Condolences may be expressed to the family by viewing the obituary at
www.mcginnis-chambers.com.
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